Caragana arborescens, commonly known as Siberian peashrub or Siberian pea tree, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Siberia and Manchuria. Here's a description of its characteristics:
Appearance: It typically grows to a height of 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.5 meters) tall, although it can sometimes reach up to 20 feet (6 meters). The shrub has an upright, spreading habit with multiple stems and branches.
Leaves: The leaves are alternate and compound, consisting of small, oval leaflets arranged along the stem. Each leaf typically has 10 to 12 leaflets, each about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, giving the foliage a feathery appearance.
Flowers: In late spring to early summer, Caragana arborescens produces bright yellow, pea-like flowers that are borne in clusters along the branches. The flowers are fragrant and attract pollinators such as bees.
Fruit: After flowering, the plant forms slender, elongated seed pods that resemble pea pods. These pods contain small, round seeds that are often used by wildlife as a food source.
Bark: The bark of mature specimens is brown and becomes fissured with age.
Hardiness: Siberian peashrub is extremely cold-hardy, making it suitable for cultivation in regions with harsh winters.
Soil and Growth Conditions: It thrives in a wide range of soil types, including poor, dry, sandy, or rocky soils, as well as clay soils. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
Uses: Caragana arborescens is commonly planted as an ornamental shrub in gardens and landscapes due to its attractive flowers and foliage, as well as its tolerance for poor soil and harsh weather conditions. It is also used for erosion control and as a windbreak in agricultural settings. Additionally, the plant has nitrogen-fixing abilities, which can improve soil fertility. Hardy in zones 2-7.