Sophora secundiflora

A small, evergreen tree that originates in the southwest US. Its foliage is green and glossy, and it creates a dense and impressive canopy with a round shape. The tree flowers with bunches of impressive and very prominent purple-blue flowers. The flowers’ scent somewhat brings to mind a grape-flavored soft drink. The flowers appear on the tree in spring. The tree bears a gray peanut-like fruit that contains pretty and extremely toxic red seeds. The fruit is very hard to crack. The tree’s roots are not invasive, so there is no problem in planting it near buildings and paved areas. The tree is very minimal with its water requirements, but its growth rate is relatively slow. Auxiliary watering in summer will improve the appearance of its foliage. The tree is resistant to the hot and cold conditions in Israel and even prefers a warm, dry climate. Moreover, the tree is well-suited to all types of soil except for saline. The tree’s properties make it a particularly colorful and attractive addition as a street tree or to gardens, including as a hedge.