Common Name: Russian Peashrub

General Information

Caragana frutex is a erect, unarmed, profusely-branched, deciduous shrub; it can grow 50 - 150cm tall, occasionally to 300cm[, ]. The plant produces long, often erect, supple branches, that are not much divided except near the ends[]. The plant produces suckers and can spread to form a thicket of growth[].
The plant is useful for stabilizing soil on slopes[]. It is often grown as an ornamental in gardens[], there are some named varieties[]..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Eurasia - European Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Russian Caucasus, western Siberia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, western China

Habitat

Shrub thickets among feather-grass steppes and steppelike meadows, dry slopes, riverside terraces, shore cliffs, forest margins, and mixed or pine forests[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Caragana frutex prefers a continental climate with its hot summers, cold winters and usually a clear movement from one season to another. The dormant plant can tolerate temperatures down to at least -30°c, but in more maritime climates it is often tempted to come into growth early and this new growth can easily be damaged by late spring frosts[]
Prefers full sun and a light sandy dry or well-drained soil[, , ]. Does not require a rich soil, succeeding on marginal land[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is useful for stabilizing soil on slopes[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. It usually germinates in 2 weeks[]. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water then sown in a cold frame[, , ]. If the seed has not swollen then scarify it and re-soak for another 12 hours before sowing[]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c[]. Good percentage[]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame[].
Layering in spring.