Sophora, Kowhai 'Sun King'

Sophora microphylla

Family
Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Sophora (SOF-or-uh)
Species
microphylla (my-kro-FIL-uh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
Spacing
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel
Seed Collecting
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Gainesville, Florida

Sanders, Kentucky

Okatie, South Carolina

Memphis, Tennessee

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Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
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K
K
| May 2012 | positive

The Kowhai ( pronounced korfi) is a native tree of New Zealand and considered to be our national flower. Kowhai is a maori word which mea...Read More

S
Louisville, KY (Zone 6b) | January 2010 | positive

This cultivar is supposedly hardy to zone 7 and perhaps 6b.

L
| May 2006 | positive

This plant is evergreen where I live in England. Although the outer foliage does get cut back by hard frost it never loses most of its leaves.

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Featured
Fritillaria Species
(Fritillaria imperialis)
Golden Emporer
(Loepa katinka)
Crowned Hornbill
(Tockus alboterminatus)