Introduced in 1753 this heat loving tree won the Award of Garden Merit in 2002 but truthfully is only worth while in the warmer parts of Southern England on south facing sites. Despite its specific and common names, this medium to large, rounded tree is actually a native of China, although widely planted in Japan.

Once mature, panicles of yellow-white, pea like flowers are borne in August, followed by long grey seed pods in autumn. The clone ‘Princeton Upright’ is so like its parents to be of any consequence. Recently it’s changed name to Styphnoiobium japonica but I struggle to pronounce this so am keeping it listed as before!

Mature height: 7-12m
Mature spread: 6-10m