Maackia amurensis

Maackia amurensis, also known as Amur Maackia, is one of those small trees that are perfectly hardy and easy to grow, but not well-known to gardeners. This relative of Laburnum, Albizzia, and Sophora is interesting for its excellent hardiness, with a wide and dense crown that gives it a beautiful presence in the garden, and the superb silver colour of its young shoots.  These shoots are as decorative as its white and honey-scented summer blooms, which form clusters of numerous leguminous flowers. It is undemanding and tolerant of various soil conditions, and according to some American sources, it is tolerant of summer drought.

The Amur Maackia is one of the eight species of deciduous shrubs and trees that make up this genus in the family of legumes, originating from China and the Far East. Siberia, Manchuria, Japan, and Korea are the birthplaces of this small tree, which enjoys sunshine and the proximity to water.  It is capable of synthesizing nitrogen at its roots, like many plants in its family. The growth of this shrub is rather slow, depending on the growing conditions. Maackia develops one or several short trunks that branch out into several main branches at a height of 70-80 cm (27.6-31.5 in) from the ground. The crown is rounded, open and spreading, taking on an umbrella-like shape over the years. Eventually, the tree will reach a height of about 10 m (32 ft 10 in) with a spread of 12 m (39 ft 5 in). The shiny bark is brown, sometimes tinged with bronze-copper,  and is slightly peeling on older plants. The young branches are covered in short hairs and then become smooth and scattered with prominent raised pores over time.

The young shoots of this tree are covered with bristles, which are particularly decorative and resemble frost. They unfold into young leaves with a silvery underside. The mature foliage consists of pinnate leaves, 20 to 30 cm (7.9 to 11.8 in) long, divided into 7 to 11 leaflets, with a grey-green to bright olive green colour under the sun. The autumn foliage is brown.

Flowering takes place from June to August, depending on the climate, and can vary in abundance from year to year. The small but numerous leguminous flowers are arranged in upright clusters, 10 to 15 cm (3.9 to 5.9 in) in height. They are white to very pale yellow, slightly fragrant, nectar-rich, and attractive to bees. They are followed by the formation of flat and elongated pods, 3 to 6 cm (1.2 to 2.4 in) long, which turn from green to brown and contain kidney-shaped seeds.

In the garden, the Amur Maackia is an excellent small shade tree, with a neat, open appearance that allows sunlight to pass through it in winter. It can be placed near a patio or at the entrance of the garden.  While it may be less spectacular than the Albizzia, it is much hardier, making it suitable for planting in many regions, even in poor soil. Plant it as a specimen tree or in front of a shrub border, for example with Tamaris tetrandra, Callistemon viminalis, or Chilopsis linearis, which thrive in similar conditions. It can also be accompanied by Gleditsia Sunburst, Schinus molle (in mild climates), Salix exigua, or other shrubs or small trees with light foliage and subtly exotic appearance that will not overshadow its subtle charm.