Caragana arborescens
Siberian Peashrub

Family:

Fabaceae (Bean Family) 48

Genus:

Caragana (Peashrub) 1

Plant Type:

Shrub 491

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 2 45

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 807

Flowers:

Yellow (Pea-like, bright yellow flowers (0.5-1" long) in May)

Foliage:

Green (Bright green summer foliage; no appreciable fall color)

Fruit:

Brown (Yellow-green pods (1.5-3" long) that mature to brown in July or August)

Ultimate Height:

15-20 feet

Ultimate Spread:

12-18 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil:

Quite tolerant of different soil types, including dry, alkaline, and low fertility

Range:

Siberia and Manchuria

Diagnostic Characteristics:

The 1.5-3" long, alternate, evenly pinnately compound leaves have 4-12 elliptic-oblong leaflets, each 0.5-1" long. Pairs of spiny stipules are present at nodes, becoming stiff with age.

Special Characteristics:

Drought Tolerant 277

Salt Tolerant 60

Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 190

Additional Information

The Siberian Peashrub is quite a tough and adaptable, nitrogen-fixing plant that can grow in extremely difficult conditions, but it has very limited use ornamentally. Best reserved for tough environments, such as in a windbreak, hedge, or screen.