Sophora prostrata Little Baby

Sophora prostrata 'Little Baby' is a curious bush derived from a species of Sophora that is not very hardy and is of small size, native to the mountain plateaus of New Zealand. Recently introduced to Europe where it has quickly become the mascot of very trendy terraces, this small bush surprises as much as it seduces with its prostrate habit and its twisted and angular silhouette supported by golden branches that grow in a zigzag pattern. A somewhat sparse foliage, cut into tiny leaflets, accentuates the originality of this plant with desert-like characteristics. The bush flowers in early spring, after a few years of cultivation: its small yellow-orange flowers, shaped like a beak, exude a sweet honey scent. 'Little Baby' is a plant that is both charming, endearing, and unusual.

Sophora prostrata belongs to the recently established family of Fabaceae, or legumes. As such, this bush is capable of producing the necessary nitrogen for its growth at its roots, which gives it excellent adaptation to poor soils. It is native to New Zealand, where it is commonly called 'Prostrate Kowhai'. Its natural distribution area is the eastern and dry part of the mountains of the South Island, a region located near Marlborough and south of Canterbury. Therefore, this Sophora tolerates strong winds, intense sunlight, frequent periods of drought, as well as urban environments. In nature, this bush is quite polymorphous; it will adopt a more or less stout or slender appearance depending on the environmental conditions. Hardy to about -10°C (14 °F) in well-drained soil and in a sheltered position, this Sophora tolerates both sandy and dry soils as well as heavier, clayey, and moist soils in mild climates.

The cultivar 'Little Baby' has been selected for its very small development and slightly more colourful flowering. At maturity, the bush will reach an average size of 1.25m (4ft 1in) in all directions, with a rather slow growth. Sophora prostrata has, as its name suggests, a prostrate, divergent, and irregular habit. The branches are slender and develop at a constant and sharp angle at each node, in a zigzag pattern. The leaves, few in number, will be deciduous to evergreen depending on the severity of the winter. They are composed of very small leaflets of a bright green colour that contrasts with the golden yellow colour of the young stems. Flowering occurs on plants that are a few years old, in February-March. These are small solitary papilionaceous flowers, suspended by a peduncle. They are slightly curved, their shape somewhat resembling a miniature parrot's beak. They are yellow-orange and exude a subtle and fleeting scent that attracts pollinating insects. Before fading, these pea flowers bloom into narrow bells that reveal prominent yellow stamens. This flowering is followed by the formation of cylindrical brown pods containing dark kidney-shaped seeds.

The 'Little Baby' dwarf Sophora will express all its originality as a solitary tree, integrated into a mineral decor such as a large rock garden. Its low hardiness allows for cultivation in the ground in zone 8, in a sheltered location. Gardeners in more continental climates will grow it in a large pot to store it indoors during the winter in a cool and very bright room. A plant in a pot or container always tolerates a lack of water much less than its counterpart growing in the ground, so watering should be maintained throughout the growing season, but greatly reduced in winter.