Sophora japonica 'Regent'
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Tried and True Recommended by 3 Professionals
Common Name: Japanese pagoda tree
Type: Tree
Family: Fabaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 50 to 75 feet
Spread: 50 to 75 feet
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Description: Creamy white
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Fruit: Showy Fruit
Tolerates: Drought, Air Pollution
Uses: Shade Tree, Street Tree

Culture

Best grown in rich, medium moisture, well-drained sandy loams in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun. Tolerant of common city pollutants and conditions. Once established, it is also tolerant of heat and some drought.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Sophora japonica is commonly called Japanese pagoda tree or Chinese scholar tree. It is native to China and Korea, but not Japan. It is a medium to large deciduous tree that typically matures to 50-75’ (less frequently to 100’) tall with a broad rounded crown, and features compound foliage (pinnate leaves to 10" long), attractive late summer flowers (in terminal panicles to 12" long) and slender bean-like seed pods (to 8" long) that persist into winter. ‘Regent’ is a popular cultivar that is distinguished from species plants by its faster growth rate, fuller oval-rounded crown, glossier deep green foliage, earlier age for first flowering and better disease resistance. U. S. Plant Patent PP2,338 was issued in 1964. Sophora japonica is synonymous with Styphnolobium japonicum.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Twig blight, verticillium wilt, canker, powdery mildew and rust may occur. Watch for leaf hoppers.

Garden Uses

Landscape specimen. Near patio or deck.

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