Caragana sinica aka Chinese Peatree

Caragana sinica is also known as Chinese peashrub. It belongs to Fabaceae, the bean family. It comes from China and grows on open mountain slopes. This woody shrub sheds its leaves in cold seasons. In warmer places, it may keep some through winter. Its species name refers to its roots in China. It grows at a moderate pace and forms several stems.

Garden plants reach 5–8 feet (1.52–2.44 m) tall. They spread 4–6 feet (1.22–1.83 m) across. The upright form grows round or oval with somewhat sparse branches. The stems bear spines. New branches are brown and smooth, with no hairs. Older bark is dark brown and smells of anise. The dark green leaves shine and grow in an alternate pattern. Each compound leaf has four small leaflets. Their shape is obovate to oblong-obovate: broadest toward the tip. The leaves turn yellow-green in fall, then drop.

The flowers are reddish-yellow and open in early summer. Bees visit them. Each pea-shaped bloom tends to grow alone, not in clusters. Flowers measure about 0.1 feet (0.03 m) long. They also make useful cut flowers. Brown legumes, or seed pods, follow the blooms. These pods measure about 0.08–0.13 feet (0.025–0.038 m) long. Their seeds tend not to sprout. Stem cuttings offer a way to grow new plants. The flowers are edible. The supplied evidence does not show whether other parts are safe.

Grow this shrub in full sun or partial shade. It accepts clay, loam, sand, and shallow, rocky ground. Poor soil does not rule out planting it. The shrub fixes nitrogen and copes with drought once growing. It also stands up to cold, wind, and salt spray. North Carolina State lists it for USDA zones 5–9. These traits suit open, exposed sites and gardens by the coast. Its wide soil range gives gardeners a choice of planting sites.

Use Chinese peashrub behind lower plants in a border. It also suits slopes and gardens for cut flowers or pollinators. Its blooms, glossy leaves, and fall color mark the seasons. Fungi can cause disease. Watch for aphids, blister beetles, spider mites, and leafhoppers. North Carolina State also notes medicinal use for antioxidant properties. That reported use does not show that home treatment is safe.