Sophora japonica
(Chinese Scholar Tree, Japanese Pagoda Tree)
Origin: Native to China, Vietnam and Korea
Family: Papilionaceae
Light: Full sun/sun-part height: >40'
Spacing: >40'
Blooms: Fragrant, prolific, clusters, pea-like, cream, mid-Summer
Foliage: Deciduous, shiny, fernlike, 6-10", compound with 8-13 leaflets
Fruits: Prolific, like a string of necklace, green to yellow-green seedpods ripens to black, bean-like pods with black flat seeds inside, in Fall
Soil: Well-drained, acidic, drought tolerant when established
Water: Regular-low
Uses: Ornamental, butterfly garden, bird garden, landscape, shade, street tree, nitrogen fixer
Propagation: Seeds (Sow directly onto ground in Fall)
Comments: Sophora japonica or Chinese Scholar Tree or Japanese Pagoda Tree is a medium to large tree with a wide spreading, rounded crown. It is a native of Korea, China and Vietnam. In mid-Summer after several years of growth, Sophora japonica produces abundant clusters of pea-like, creamy-white blossoms, followed later in the Fall by strings of black necklace seedpods. Butterflies are magnetized by the nectar-rich blossoms while the birds enjoy feasting on the seeds. Chinese Scholar Tree can be propagated from seeds. It performs best in well-drained, moist acidic soil in a sunny to part shade location. Japanese Pagoda provide Fall interest as the prolific bean-like seedpods remain hanging on tree till Winter. The weight on the thin stems might weigh down the branches. Sophora japonica can tolerate drought conditions and thrives in poor soil when established. It is fast growing when young and slows down at maturity. Chinese Scholar Tree is beautiful and looks ornamental. It is often used as street trees. Japanese Pagoda Tree makes an excellent shade tree in the landscape.
USDA Zones: 4-9
