Practical
Plants

Caragana gerardiana

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Caragana genus in the family Leguminosae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be grown as a low impenetrable hedge. They are viciously spiny[5].

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Nitrogen fixer

Environment

Range
E. Asia - North-western Himalayas to southern Tibet at elevations up to 3,900 metres.
Habitat
Found at elevations of 3700 - 4100 metres in Xizang Province in China.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[5]. It usually germinates in 2 weeks[K]. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water then sown in a cold frame[6][2][5]. If the seed has not swollen then scarify it and re-soak for another 12 hours before sowing[3]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c[3]. Good percentage[1]. 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, July/August in a frame[2]. Layering in spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers full sun and a light sandy dry or well-drained soil in a hot position[1][4][5]. Does not require a rich soil, succeeding on marginal land[1][5]. Plants often do not flower well in British gardens, due in large degree to our lack of summer sun[4]. This species prefers a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters, it does not grow well in areas with mild damp winters[1][5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5]. 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[5].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  6. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

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