Image – Wikimedia Commons / bastus9
The genus Sophora is made up of trees and shrubs of great beauty. Of the 70 species that have been described, there are some that are deciduous and others are evergreen, a characteristic motivated by the need to protect themselves or not from frost. But this can be very useful, since it means that it will be very easy for us to choose one depending on whether we live in a temperate climate with well differentiated seasons, or if, on the contrary, we are in a place where temperatures are always above zero degrees.
Thus, Let’s see what types of Sophora are the most recommended to grow in the ground and / or in pots.and what are its main characteristics.
Sophora cassioides
Image – Wikimedia / Dick Culbert
The Sophora cassioides It is an evergreen tree native to Chile known as pelú or pilo. It grows up to 10 meters in heightwith a more or less straight trunk that branches several meters from the ground. The leaves are dark green, and it produces short flower clusters. The flowers are yellow.
It is a plant that likes in places where there is high humidity; not in vain, originally it grows near rivers. Also, the land has to be well drained and fertile. Regarding its resistance to cold, this species supports up to -6ºC.
sophora davidius
Image – Wikimedia / Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
The sophora davidius It is a deciduous shrub native to China. It is popularly known as David’s mountain laurel or pagoda shrub, and it is a relatively small plant, which reaches a height of between 1 and 2 metersand that develops multiple stems from which pinnate leaves sprout. Its flowers are pale blue to white, fragrant, and sprout in terminal clusters in late spring.
In cultivation it wants sun, if possible direct, and a sandy loam soil that drains water quickly. In pot it should be with substrate for acid plants. Otherwise, it resists up to -18ºC.
Sophora flavescens
Image – Wikimedia Commons / Dalgial
The Sophora flavescens it is a plant known as shrubby sophora, as it is certainly a shrub. It is evergreen, and reaches a height of up to 1,5 meters. Its origin is not clear. Its leaves are pinnate, and its flowers, which are yellow in color, are grouped in terminal clusters.
You have to plant it in light, sandy soils, and that do not get puddled. In case of having it in a pot, it is recommended to fill it with substrate for acidic plants (for sale here!). Withstands temperatures down to -18ºC.
Sophora japonica
Image – Wikimedia / Jean-Pol GRANDMONT
Technically the Sophora japonica It is no longer such, but is now called Styphnolobium japonicum. That is, it is now a new species, belonging to another genus (Styphnolobium). Anyway, we include it since it is known a lot by the ancient scientific name.
Well, with that said, this is a deciduous tree known as the honey tree, pagoda tree, and false acacia from Japan, and it is native to China and Japan. It reaches a height of between 5 and 20 metersand has pinnate leaves. The inflorescences are terminal panicles, from which creamy-white and slightly fragrant flowers sprout.
In cultivation it is not a demanding species. It grows in almost any type of soil, although it has a preference for sandy and well-drained ones. In addition, it resists up to -18ºC.
Sophora pendula
Image – Wikimedia / Matthieu Sontag
The accepted botanical name is: Styphnolobium japonica cv. pendulum. It is a variety of the previous one, with hanging branches or “weeping”. Very elegant.
Sophora macrocarpa
Image – Penarc
The Sophora macrocarpa it is an evergreen shrub known as mayú, mayu or mayo endemic to Chile. It does not grow much, only about 3 meters highbut it develops compound leaves with whitish tomentum on the underside that greatly embellish it. In addition, its flowers are yellow, sprouting in clusters.
In cultivation it is a very grateful plant, as long as it grows in a place where the soil or the substrate absorbs and drains the water very well. Resists up to -6ºC.
Sophora microphylla
Image – Wikimedia / Krzysztof Golik
The Sophora microphylla It is an evergreen tree native to New Zealand. Reaches a height of 8 metersand has a wide crown. The leaves are pinnate, green and very small, 3-6mm long by 2-5mm wide. In spring numerous yellow flower clusters sprout.
It is a plant suitable for growing in temperate and subtropical climates, since it supports up to -15ºC. Place in full sun, and in soils or substrates rich in organic matter.
sophora tomentosa
Image – Wikimedia Commons / Forest & Kim Starr
The sophora tomentosa It is an evergreen shrub native to southern North America and Central America. Reaches a height of 3 to 4 metersand its stems are tomentose (hence its surname). The leaves are pinnate, and the flowers are yellow, grouping in axillary and terminal racemes.
It is a very interesting species, since it can be cultivated near the sea and tolerates pruning. Resists cold and frost down to -7ºC.
sophora toromiro
Image – Wikimedia Commons / David Eickhoff
The sophora toromiro it is an evergreen shrub endemic to Easter Island, where it has unfortunately become extinct. Fortunately, she is still alive in the gardens. Reaches 3 meters in heightwith a main trunk that can reach 50 centimeters in diameter. The leaves are alternate, pinnate, and pubescent with white or brownish hairs. The flowers are grouped in clusters and are yellow.
It grows in shade or with partial shade, in fertile land. Supports up to -5ºC.
What do you think of these guys from Sophora? Do you know other varieties?
