Colutea istria
| Colutea istria | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 10' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Mid Summer |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Colutea istria
Propagation: 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[3], 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.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[4]. Cuttings are not very long-lived[4].
Cultivation: Requires a well-drained soil in full sun[3]. Grows well on dry sunny banks and in poor soils[5][6]. Dislikes strong winds, though another entry in the same book says that it tolerates salt-laden winds[3].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[3], but it should succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country[6]. Even there it is probably best grown on a south or south-west facing wall[3].
According to the International Legume Database, this species may actually be Colutea abyssinica Kunth & Bouch., a species found in N. Africa where it grows in montane grassland and shrubland.
Flowers are produced on the current year's growth[3].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].
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[3].
Range: Middle East.
Usage: Used in land reclamation projects in the Negev desert, consolidating soil and plant debris from flood waters[3].
Plants can be grown as a hedge[3].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.