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Products > Sophora microphylla
 
Sophora microphylla - Kowhai

Note: This plant is no longer in stock. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.  

 
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Tree
Family: Fabaceae = Pea Family
Origin: Pacific Islands
Flower Color: Yellow
Bloomtime: Winter/Spring
Height: 15-25 feet
Width: 10-15 feet
Exposure: Full Sun
Seaside: Yes
Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F
Sophora microphylla (Kowhai) - A large fast growing winter-deciduous small tree that can reach to 25' tall with long lasting and attractive bright yellow flowers held in short axillary racemes in late winter into spring. Plant in full coastal sun or light to full shade. Give regular to occasional irrigation. Hardy to at least 20 ° F. This southern hemisphere tree is listed as being native to both New Zealand and Chile but is mostly noted as a plant of New Zealand where it is often found in wet locations in open forests, forest margins and riverbanks. As with many New Zealand trees this plant has a juvenile and mature form with the divaricating juvenile form lasting up to 10 years while the plant does not flower followed by a more upright and open habit when in the flowering adult form. The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, other birds and insects and it is the national flower of New Zealand. 

The information displayed on this page about Sophora microphylla is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.

 
We closed for regular business at the end of 2025 in order for the property to be developed for affordable housing.
Our gates remain closed but we will open them by appointment to interested parties through August 21st to liquidate remaining plants, supplies and equipment.
The plants remaining in the field are listed on our
Live Inventory Page.