Colutea x media
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Colutea genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Colutea
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 3 m
- Spread
- 3 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
This species has an extensive root system and is useful for planting on dry sunny banks for stabilizing the soil[4]. Plants can be grown as a hedge[4].
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- A hybrid of garden origin, C. arborescens x C. orientalis[4].
- Habitat
- Not known in the wild.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in hot water and sow late winter in a greenhouse[1]. Scarification can help speed up the germination process[2]. Germination can be slow and erratic[4], though treated seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c[2]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. This species is a hybrid and so is unlikely to breed true from seed. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[5]. Cuttings are not very long-lived[5].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a well-drained soil and a sunny sheltered position[3][4]. Succeeds in poor and in dry soils, growing well on sunny banks[3]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and salt-laden winds[4]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[4]. Flowers are produced on the current year's growth[4]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4]. 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[4].
References
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00