Sophora japonica

Summer is prime time for perennials. In most gardens, flowerbeds and borders are now truly coming into their own, while trees are fruiting or providing green shade. Our Plant of the Month, however, is one of the few exceptions that bears its blossoms in summer.

As its name suggests, the Japanese Pagoda Tree (Sophora japonica) is native to Asia, found primarily in dry and rocky regions of Japan, China, and Korea. This tolerance for drought and challenging sites makes it a popular tree for urban greening. When planting, make sure the soil isn't compacted and the pagoda tree has ample space. Sophora japonica can reach heights of 14-18 meters (46-59 feet), and in its native land, even up to 40 meters (131 feet)! As it ages, its crown becomes increasingly rounded, potentially spreading up to 16 meters (52 feet) wide. The sprawling, twisting branches with their pinnate foliage give this large tree an elegant and majestic appearance. Its small, ovate leaves are unevenly arranged on stems up to 25 cm (10 inches) long. The foliage doesn't emerge until late April but usually persists in a beautiful golden autumn color well into November. Any pruning should only be done in autumn.

From July onwards, the creamy-white flowers appear in upright panicles. They resemble the blooms of the black locust and are just as popular with insects, if not more so. Full of nectar and with a delicate fragrance, they serve as an important food source for bumblebees and bees during the summer. If you want to enjoy the pagoda tree's special floral display, you'll have to be patient, as the flowers only appear on older trees. In autumn, green pods follow, encasing many black seeds. Their resemblance to a string of pearls gives Sophora japonica its name: 'string- or pearl-string tree'.