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Sophora howinsula (Lord Howe kowhai)
2 hours care
per year
per year
15m
Max height
Max height
8m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Sophora howinsula
Other names
Lord Howe kowhai, Lord Howe's ironwood, Sophora tetraptera var. howinsula, Sophora howinsula 'Gnome', Lignum vitae, Sophora tetraptera subsp. howinsula, Sophora tetraptera 'Otari Gnome'
Genus
Sophora Sophora
Species
S. howinsula - S. howinsula is an upright to spreading, evergreen shrub or small tree with pinnate leaves divided into paired, oblong, grey-green leaflets and, in late spring, racemes of pendent, tubular, golden-yellow flowers followed by orange-brown pods.
Sophora howinsula is: Evergreen
Habit
Spreading, Upright
Toxicity
All parts are highly toxic if ingested.
Flower
Golden-yellow in Spring
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Chip and soak seeds prior to sowing. Sow 1mm deep at 20-30C in well-drained seed compost. Usually germinates in 10-21 days.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Sophora howinsula (Lord Howe kowhai) will reach a height of 15m and a spread of 8m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Wallside and trellises, Mediterranean, Low Maintenance, Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, Coastal, City, Bees (attract & feed bees), Beds and borders
Cultivation
In mild areas, grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Best with regular water in hot, dry summers but will tolerate moderate drought. Tolerates heat. Does not tolerate waterlogged conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3), Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Sophora howinsula
Other names
Lord Howe kowhai, Lord Howe's ironwood, Sophora tetraptera var. howinsula, Sophora howinsula 'Gnome', Lignum vitae, Sophora tetraptera subsp. howinsula, Sophora tetraptera 'Otari Gnome'
Genus
Sophora Sophora
Species
S. howinsula - S. howinsula is an upright to spreading, evergreen shrub or small tree with pinnate leaves divided into paired, oblong, grey-green leaflets and, in late spring, racemes of pendent, tubular, golden-yellow flowers followed by orange-brown pods.
Native to
Lord Howe Island
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading, Upright
Toxicity
All parts are highly toxic if ingested.
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Colour
Flower
Golden-yellow in Spring
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Chip and soak seeds prior to sowing. Sow 1mm deep at 20-30C in well-drained seed compost. Usually germinates in 10-21 days.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Sophora howinsula (Lord Howe kowhai) will reach a height of 15m and a spread of 8m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Wallside and trellises, Mediterranean, Low Maintenance, Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, Coastal, City, Bees (attract & feed bees), Beds and borders
Cultivation
In mild areas, grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Best with regular water in hot, dry summers but will tolerate moderate drought. Tolerates heat. Does not tolerate waterlogged conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3), Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3), Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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