PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; full sun promotes the most abundant flowering; tolerates brief drought once established
Watering
Water deeply when the top 5 cm of soil is dry; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot in poorly drained soils
Temperature
Hardy to -20°C; tolerates hot summer temperatures with consistent soil moisture
Characteristics
- Leaf: Compound pinnate leaves with 7–15 oval leaflets, bright green, turning yellow in autumn
- Flower: Dense racemes of fragrant, pea-shaped pink to rose-purple blooms
- Stem: Covered in stiff, bristly hairs (hispid) with paired spines at leaf nodes
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist during the flowering and active growing season
Fertilization
Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer once in early spring. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowering
Eggshell powder topdressing：Crush dried eggshells into a fine powder; sprinkle 1 tablespoon per plant and work into the top 2 cm of soil to boost soil calcium levelsPruning
- Prune faded blooms promptly to encourage potential late-season reblooming
- Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter before new growth emerges
- Thin overcrowded stems to improve airflow and light penetration throughout the shrub
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Toxic; ingestion may cause gastrointestinal distress and weakness
Humans: Contains toxic lectins; ingestion causes gastrointestinal irritation
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Ornamental garden shrub; nitrogen-fixing root nodules improve soil fertility
