Decaisnea fargesii

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blue bean shrub

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blue bean shrub RHS
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Shrubs
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A very large, deciduous shrub with bold, divided leaves up to 90cm long which are tinged with blue in spring, and turn clear yellow in autumn. Long sprays of insignificant, greenish flowers are followed in autumn by metallic-looking, grey-blue, bean-like pods up to 10cm long

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lardizabalaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Decaisnea are deciduous shrubs with large, handsome, pinnate leaves and rather insignificant greenish flowers in summer, followed by conspicuous, bean-like fruits
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
W China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade with shelter from strong winds

Propagation

Sow seed in containers in an open frame in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free