Sophora 'Little Baby'
kowhai 'Little Baby'
An evergreen shrub to 1.5m tall forming a dense mound of wiry, zig-zagging branches that bear leaves made up of tiny, oval leaflets. Clusters of pea-like yellow flowers are borne in spring
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Sophora are deciduous or evergreen trees and shrubs with pinnate leaves and pea-like flowers, sometimes fragrant, in racemes or panicles
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile soil in full sun in a sheltered site
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring, or by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer or autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.