Caragana arborescens

Attractive if not spectacular, this large shrub with yellow pea-like flowers is one of the toughest and most accommodating plants. S/M-D

The Siberian Pea Shrub is a species of legume native to Siberia, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan where it is often used as a food producing plant. It is a perennial, deciduous shrub or small tree that grows at a moderate pace, eventually reaching from between 6 to 12 feet in height. Like other legumes, the Siberian Pea Shrub is a nitrogen fixing plant, improving soil quality where it is grown. Spring flowering, green bean like fruits ripen in early July and are usually cooked before being eaten. Extremely cold tolerant and adaptable to poor soils, the Siberian Pea Shrub make a great wind-break, or remediation planting for erosion prone areas. Cold hardy to zone 2a and above. We cannot ship Siberian Pea Shrub plants to Minnesota or Wisconsin.

This is a Permaculture super-plant! They are edible (seeds,pods) fix-nitrogen, attract beneficial insects, can be used as a pioneer plant, a windbreak, and a hedge, are used to stabilize erosion-prone soil. They can feed livestock, and are pretty with fragrant flowers. The Siberian Pea Shrub has been used by native peoples for its edible pods and seeds, fiber from the bark, and dye from its leaves. Historically, Pea Shrubs were used for food much more than they are now. The pods form 3-4 “peas” each, and these peas can be eaten raw or cooked when young. The seeds may also be dried and then used like dried peas – soaked overnight and then cooked before eating. People enjoy eating from this plant, but others find the taste bland. The tree does produce a lot of pods. Chickens particularly enjoy this plant’s pods and seeds, but there is also research supporting its use as fodder for sheep, goats, and cattle. Germination range 80-90% Hardy to -40 degrees!

This cutleaf weeping Siberian pea-shrub is about as hardy as any plant I grow. It is covered with small yellow flowers in the spring. It is a fine unusual addition to a small garden. These are grafted at about 3' and will never get much taller than that. zone 3

Native to Siberia but introduced and growing happily in most of the upper part of the US. A suggested CSU Utah Water-Wise Plant. A large shrub/small tree that's tough as nails. Bright yellow, pea-like bloom in late spring give way to 'pea-pods' that persist and give ornamental value Food for wildlife as well as nesting area. Extremely cold hardy, it can live in pots, which can be useful on patios that need some shade or summer screening. Doesn't like the heat of the South, however. Good windbreak, hedge or barrier. Stunning as a Bonsai. Can be trained to a standard. Western Mountain Hummingbirds such as Black-Chinned, Calliope, Fufous and Broad-Tailed love this. This plant does self seed and shouldn't be introduced near areas where seedling can't be removed.