Sophora japonica 'PENDULA' Japanese pagoda tree

If you went looking for a tree typical for every city you would find jacarandas in Buenos Aires, London planes in London, and in Prague you would be struck by the beauty of Japanese pagoda trees. Numerous specimens were planted there many years ago. Now they have skyscraping trunks and huge crowns, blooming tremendously from July till August.

This big tree is a parent for an excellent grafting with a pendulum crown. Due to its size which seldom exceeds 3m it is suitable for every garden. It has long, pinnate leaves which are bright green when young, turning to deep green when mature. However, as this tree continues growing all season long there are always new, bright green leaves at the ends of the branches. Flowering is in question after at least some 15 years of age. Tiny creamy white flowers are formed in large panicles and are less numerous than on the parent tree.

In the spring, young shoots may be cut down by late frosts but the tree always re-sprouts from thicker branches. We therefore suggest planting it in a location protected from freezing winds, but not at a south facing wall where it would start too early. It adapts to any type of soil except for marshy, and withstands air pollution. When fully established it tolerates drought. Fully hardy to min. -29°C (USDA zone 5), possibly more.

Last update 26-01-2009