Sophora davidii is a deciduous shrub native to southwestern China that transforms late spring gardens with delicate, fragrant flowers and fine-textured foliage. This spiny multi-stemmed plant grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, creating a substantial presence in zones 6 through 9. Small pale blue and white pea-like flowers bloom in 6-inch terminal clusters from May through June, followed by brown seed pods that add interest into fall. Once established, it tolerates heat and drought well, making it resilient even in challenging conditions. The blue-green pinnate leaves remain attractive throughout the growing season, offering year-round visual appeal.
Partial Sun
Moderate
6-9
96in H x 96in W
—
Low
Hover over chart points for details
Pale blue and white fragrant flowers appear in striking 6-inch spikes during late spring, each cluster containing 6 to 12 small pea-like blooms that fill the garden with subtle scent. The shrub's fine, feathery foliage composed of 11 to 19 tiny leaflets per leaf creates an airy, delicate texture that contrasts beautifully with its thorny stems. Unlike many ornamental shrubs, Sophora davidii improves with age and stress; older wood becomes increasingly attractive, and the plant actually thrives under heat and drought once its roots establish.
Sophora davidii is primarily grown as an ornamental shrub, particularly valued for hedging and screening due to its dense, spiny growth habit and year-round foliage. Its fragrant late-spring flowers attract pollinators and add seasonal color and scent to mixed borders. The attractive seed pods that follow the flowers extend the plant's ornamental interest well into the growing season.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
No care instructions available yet for this variety.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Sophora davidii hails from southwestern China, where it has grown wild across rocky slopes and semi-arid regions for centuries. The species name honors Father Armand David, the French Lazarist missionary and botanist who collected extensively in China during the 19th century and sent specimens back to European gardens. This shrub arrived in Western cultivation through the botanical exploration networks of that era, eventually reaching nurseries across North America and Europe as gardeners recognized its ornamental value and resilience.”