Amicia zygomeris

Amicia zygomeris (20/10/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late summer to autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 2.5m

Eventual Spread: 2.5m

Hardiness: 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Amicia zygomeris Flower (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Amicia zygomeris is a large, upright, deciduous, woody perennial. Its light glaucous green leaves are bi pinnate, composed of two heart shaped leaflets. Its half moon shaped bracts are green and purple and appear at the leaf axis. Its yellow flowers are large and pea like.

Amicia zygomeris, commonly known as Yoke Leaved Amicia or Gotta Pea, is native to the Mexico mountains.

Amicia zygomeris Leaf (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Amicia is named after Giovanni Battista Amici (1786 – 1863), an Italian astronomer.  Zygomeris is derived from the Greek zugos meaning ‘yolk’ and meris meaning ‘part’.

The landscape architect may find Amicia zygomeris useful as an unusual specimen perennial.

Amicia zygomeris Bract (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Amicia zygomeris is attractive to some pollinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Amicia zygomeris their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Amicia zygomeris prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Amicia zygomeris requires little maintenance.

Sophora japonica

Styphnolobium japonicum (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 25m

Eventual Spread: 20m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Styphnolobium japonicum Flower (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Sophora japonica is a fast growing, deciduous, rounded medium sized tree with an open habit. Its mid green leaves are alternate, odd pinnate and up to 25cm long. They are composed of up to 21 leaflets, each being ovate with entire margins and up to, 5cm long. Its leaves turn yellow before falling in autumn. Its bark is light grey/ brown with vertical ridges. Its white/ yellow pea like flowers appear in pendulous axillary racemes. Its fruit are long seed pods which are up to 20cm long, initially green, maturing to grey.

Sophora japonica, commonly known as the Pagoda Tree, Japanese Pagoda Tree or Scholar Tree, is native to eastern China and Korea. Despite its binomial name, it was introduced in to Japan. Sophora japonica is synonymous with Styphnolobium japonicum. This tree has a long use in traditional Chinese medicine.

Sophora japonica Leaf (28/07/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Sophora is derived from the Arabic name, sophera, for a pea-flowered tree. Japonica is derived from the Latin meaning ‘of Japan’, although this tree was introduced into Japan.

The landscape architect may find  Sophora japonica useful as a medium sized tree with a light canopy in a street or parkland setting. This tree is tolerant of urban pollution. Once established it is drought tolerant.

Sophora japonica Bark (28/07/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Sophora japonica is attractive to pollinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Sophora japonica their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Sophora japonica prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It is tolerant of poor soils.

Sophora japonica requires little maintenance.



Landscape Architecture

Laburnum anagyroides

Laburnum anagyroides Flower (17/05/2012, Prague, Czech Republic)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 7m

Eventual Spread: 7m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Laburnum anagyroides is a deciduous small tree with a spreading habit. Its mid green leaves are trifoliate, composed of elliptic to obovate leaflets which are up to 3cm long are smooth on the upper surface and hairy on the underside. Its bark is brown/ green with a bumpy texture. Its hermaphrodite yellow fragrant flowers are borne in densely packed pendulous racemes which are up to 25cm long. Its seeds are borne in flattened pods which are initially green, maturing to brown and split open to release black seeds.

Laburnum anagyroides Pergola (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Laburnum anagyroides , commonly known as Common Laburnum, Golden Rain or Golden Chain, is native to central and southern Europe. This tree has a long history of cultivation, and was introduced in to the UK in 1560. This tree readily propagates itself in the UK. All parts of this plant are poisonous, particularly the seeds. This tree will fix nitrogen in the soil.

Laburnum anagyroides (17/05/2012, Prague, Czech Republic)

The etymological root of the binomial name Laburnum is the ancient Lain name for this tree, possibly from origins in Lebanon. Anagyroides is derived from the Latin meaning ‘resembling the genus Anagryis‘.

The landscape architect may find  Laburnum anagyroides useful as a specimen tree providing a display of bright flowers during late spring. It may be planted as an informal hedge if planted at 50cm centres and coppiced on a regular basis. Care must be taken when locating this tree as all parts are poisonous.

Ecologically, Laburnum anagyroides is attractive to bees and pollinating insects.

Laburnum anagyroides Leaf (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Laburnum anagyroides prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate nutritionally poor soil.

Laburnum anagyroides requires little maintenance. If coppicing this plant, carry out during the winter months.

Laburnum anagyroides Bark (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Landscape Architecture