Caragana - Common

Large, rounded, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub with upright branching. Useful for soil improvement prior to, or while, growing other plants because it fixes nitrogen. Extremely drought tolerant, salt tolerant, and cold hardy to -50. Commonly used for hedges or windbreaks in the prairies. Yellow flowers produce 7-8 cm long pea pods in the fall. Spreading can be controlled by livestock grazing.

Uses: The shrub is edible for people, livestock and wildlife and is useful for agroforestry. The flowers can be used in salads, the young seed pods can be cooked in stir-frys, and the mature peas, which are high in protein, can be cooked like lentils. The oil extracted from the seeds can be used edibly or for soap making, paint making or a natural lubricant. The seed pods and the young branches can also be used as livestock fodder or nitrogen fixing mulch in the garden. Nitrogen fixing even at cooler temperatures. The bark fiber can be used to make cordage and the leaves make an azure dye which can be used on natural fabrics. Also has medicinal properties.

Bare root items are available for a limited time only.

Blooms: spring
Zone: 2
Light: Full Sun
Height: 4.5 m Width: 4.5 m
Suckers: Yes
Deer Resistant: Some
Drought Resistant: Yes
Latin: Caragana arborescens