Siberian Pea Shrub

Caragana arborescens

Fabaceae

• USDA Zone 2-7
  
• Sun - Part Shade
• Size: 12'-15' wide x 12'-15' tall
• Drought Tolerant: Yes
• Evergreen: No
• Flower Color: Bright Yellow (April-May)
• Wildlife Value: Nitrogen-fixing; cover for birds; seeds for small mammals

Siberian pea shrub is a hardy, deciduous, nitrogen-fixing shrub native to Siberia and Manchuria. Introduced to North America and widely planted for shelterbelts, hedges, and soil improvement. Extremely cold-hardy and adaptable, thriving in harsh conditions where many ornamentals fail. Tolerates wide range of soils including poor, sandy, and alkaline soils. Grows best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. Once established, very drought tolerant. Fixes atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules, enriching soil for neighboring plants.

This upright, multi-stemmed shrub grows 12-15 feet tall and wide with strongly ascending branches creating rounded to oval form. Compound, pinnate leaves with bright green leaflets give a feathery, fern-like appearance. Foliage emerges early in spring and provides light, airy texture through growing season. Fall color is typically yellowish but not particularly showy. May hold leaves late into season.

Showy, bright yellow pea-like flowers appear abundantly in late spring, decorating the branches just as leaves develop. Blooms are mildly fragrant and attractive to bees. Flowers give way to small, brown, pea-like seed pods (1-2 inches long) that mature in summer, splitting open when ripe. Seeds are edible but not commonly consumed. Pods persist into winter if not eaten by wildlife. Small mammals and birds eat seeds. Tolerates heavy pruning and can be sheared into formal hedge.

Widely used in shelterbelts and windbreaks.  Excellent for hedges, screens, and barriers—can be maintained at various heights through pruning. Valuable for reclamation projects and soil improvement on degraded sites. Often used in permaculture systems as nitrogen-fixing companion plant. Can become weedy in some areas through prolific self-seeding; deadhead if seed dispersal is concern. Responds well to renovation pruning if overgrown. Space 8-12 feet apart for informal screen; 4-6 feet for formal hedge. Cultivar 'Sutherland' has narrower, more upright form.