Siberian pea shrub
Caragana arborescens
Siberian pea shrub (Caragana arborescens) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 10–18 ft tall and 8–15 ft wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Tough nitrogen-fixing windbreak shrub. Yellow pea-flowers in spring.
On the CSU listlow water10–18 ft tall and 8–15 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Caragana arborescens
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Walker', 'Sutherland'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 10–18 ft tall and 8–15 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~15 ft apart (10 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hedge use
- Privacy screen
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–7
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- high
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zone 3 only (site it well away from structures)
- Bloom color
- yellow
- Bloom time
- late spring
- Pollinator value
- moderate
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelySiberian peashrub, heavy seeder, sometimes considered invasive
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Planting & establishment
Bombproof, almost no irrigation needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Siberian pea shrub good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Siberian pea shrub is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Siberian pea shrub?
- The main things to know: Siberian peashrub, heavy seeder, sometimes considered invasive
- How big does Siberian pea shrub get?
- It matures to about 10–18 ft tall and 8–15 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Siberian pea shrub?
- Space Siberian pea shrub about 15 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 10 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Siberian pea shrub hardy on the Front Range?
- Siberian pea shrub is hardy in USDA 2–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Siberian pea shrub need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does Siberian pea shrub grow?
- Siberian pea shrub is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Siberian pea shrub native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Siberian pea shrub deer-resistant?
- Siberian pea shrub is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Siberian pea shrub a good firewise plant near the house?
- Siberian pea shrub is suitable in defensible-space zone 3 only, site it well away from structures. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Siberian pea shrub a good hedge plant?
- Yes, as a screen. Siberian pea shrub is well suited to a privacy screen or windbreak rather than a tightly clipped formal hedge.
