Styphnolobium japonicum

RHS Plant Profile

Japanese pagoda tree

Other common names

Chinese pagoda tree, Chinese scholar tree, pagoda tree

Synonyms

Sophora japonica

Trees

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A large deciduous tree to 25m tall with a rounded, low-branched habit, and rich green pinnate leaves to 30cm in length. Fragrant creamy-white, pea-shaped flowers 12mm in length, produced in terminal panicles in mature trees

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Styphnolobium are deciduous trees with pinnate leaves and generally white, pea-like flowers born in panicles in summer and autumn
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile soil in full sun; tolerant of poor soils, drought and pollution. Needs long hot summers to flower well and does not flowers until mature at about 30 years

Propagation

Propagate by seed when ripe or grafting in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free