Sophora davidii
(David's Kowhai)
Family - Fabaceae
Category - Shrub
Origin - Southwestern China
Year of Introduction - 1897
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H5
Height - up to 2.5m
Width - up to 3m
Location - The Cool Garden
Description: A medium to large-sized Deciduous Shrub with a bushy, spreading habit. Attractive grey-green, pinnate leaves have oval to obovate leaflets with fine, silky white hairs. The branches will develop sharp spines with age. Nodding or pendent pea-like flowers are ivory white with deep violet-purple calyces. The flowers are held in Racemes at the tips of the branches and are produced in late spring and early summer. The Blooms are followed by short green seed pods.
Synonym - Sophora viciifolia
Flower:
Nodding or pendent, pea-like flowers are ivory white with deep violet-purple calyces. The flowers are held in racemes at the tips of the spreading branches and are produced in May and June. The flowers are followed by short green seed pods.
Flower colour: White, purple
Flower shape: Pea-like flowers in racemes
Flowering time: May, June
Foliage:
Grey-green pinnate leaves have small, oval to obovate leaflets that are covered in fine, silky white hairs. The branches will develop sharp spines with age. The leaves are Alternately arranged on the spreading branches.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Pinnate with oval to obovate leaflets
Poison Information:
This plant is highly toxic if ingested.
Propagation:
Seed.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun in fertile, moisture retentive soil that is well drained.