The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: Sweetshade American yellowwood

Family: Fabaceae (pea family)

Synonym: Cladrastis lutea 'Sweet Shade'

Distribution: Species native to e. United States

Hardiness: USDA Zone 4

Life form: Deciduous tree

Plant Patent Info.: PP2,935; 28 October, 1969

Comments: Very rare! Leaves and flowers on this selection from Princeton Nurseries are especially large. A wonderful native, deciduous tree growing 30-40' tall and wide in the landscape. Leaves are blue-green in summer, turning clear yellow in fall, reportedly resistant to leaf hoppers. White pea-like, fragrant flowers are produced in late May on pendulous terminal panicles, sometimes over a foot long, often blooming heavily one year and lightly the following two. Wonderful as a shade tree or specimen.