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SOPHORA

Handsome flowering trees with showy, drooping clusters of sweet pea-shaped blossoms. Seed pods are constricted between the seeds, giving them a bead-necklace look. Leaves are divided into many leaflets. Provide good drainage.

Sophora japonica

Native to China, Korea. Grows at a moderate rate to 50 to 70 ft. high and wide. Young wood is smooth, dark gray green; old branches and trunk gradually take on rugged look, with rough, deeply furrowed bark. Dark green, 6- to 10-in. leaves are divided into 7 to 17 leaflets, each 1 to 2 in. long. Undistinguished yellow fall color. Long (to 1-ft.), open clusters of 1/2-in., yellowish white flowers in summer; 2 to 3 1/2-in. pods.