Maackia amurensis
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Tried and True Recommended by 3 Professionals
Common Name: maackia
Type: Tree
Family: Fabaceae
Zone: 3 to 7
Native Range: Eastern Asia
Garden Location: Jordan Charitable Foundation Ornamental Shade Garden and Overlook
Height: 20 to 30 feet
Spread: 20 to 30 feet
Bloom Time: June
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Description: Dull White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers, Fragrant Flowers
Uses: Flowering Tree, Shade Tree, Street Tree

Culture

Best grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers full sun. Adapts to a wide range of soil conditions.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Amur maackia is a small, deciduous tree with a broad, rounded habit. Typically grows in cultivation at a slow-to-moderate rate to a height of 20-30' (to 60' in the wild). Features erect, narrow, spike-like clusters (4-6" long) of fragrant, dull white, pea-like flowers which appear in late spring. Flowers are followed by flat seed pods (2-3" long). Compound, odd-pinnate, dark olive green leaves (7-13 leaflets each) are attractive in summer but produce no fall color. Coppery-bronze bark exfoliates on mature trees. Genus and species names are in reference to Karlovich Maack, the 19th century Siberian explorer who discovered the tree growing in the region of the Amur River which serves as the border between Siberia and China. This member of the pea family is both closely related and similar in appearance to the slightly larger yellowwood (Cladrastis). Yellowwood has more attractive flowers and excellent fall color.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Small shade tree or street tree.

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Maackia chinensis
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