Caragana arborescens ‘Walker’

I’ve come to really appreciate form and texture with woody plants. I’m admittedly a proponent of including weeping forms of all sizes and scale in the landscape to catch the eye. Unique weeping selections such as the Walker’s weeping peashrub offer the combination of a smaller weeping form on a texturally soft plant that can’t help but become popular. When I’m able to find this plant, I use it as a primary accent or focal point. The selection, ‘Walker’ or ‘Walkeri’ is very specific to having finely cut foliage and a fern-like appearance. Similar in form, ‘Pendula’ has a rougher, less refined texture. It’s important to note that there is concern about the straight species of Siberian peashrub spreading in Canada, the Upper Midwest and Great Plains. Siberian peashrub (Caragana arborescens) is currently restricted in Minnesota and Wisconsin. However, ‘Walker’ is exempt.

This member of the pea family (Fabaceae) is native to Siberia and northern China and prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade. This is a grafted plant with standard grafting height typically at 3-4 feet. Reaching 5-6 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide in time, this strongly weeping selection, hardy in Zones 2-7, was developed at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba, Canada. The dramatic, weeping branches reach close to the ground and feature feathery, pinnately compound foliage (yellow in fall) and “pea-like” yellow flowers in spring. The smooth, olive green bark is of some interest but the striking form contributes every day of the year. The older selection, ‘Lorbergii’, has similar foliage and flower contributions but is larger and lacks the extremely pronounced weeping contribution of ‘Walker.’

This petite weeping plant is not particular to any soil type or pH but does prefer well-drained soils. As a great choice for difficult growing conditions, this plant does not mind an exposed situation either. Deer will leave this plant alone although there is reference to bees and hummingbirds targeting the flowers. Remove any side shoots or suckers beneath the graft. For many reasons, I find little ornamental value in the straight species of Siberian peashrub (and reseeding issues are of concern). However, ‘Walker’ is simply a rock star.