Blad-leaf Sophora prostrata "Little Baby"- Honey Tree - Kówhai

• Article number: SOPPRLIT01

Sophora prostrata "Little Baby" is also known as the Honey Tree or by its Maori name: Kówhai. The plant is native to New Zealand and is hardy in the European climate. The plant is easily recognizable by the unique way it grows. Instead of letting new branches grow straight, this plant does things differently. Every bud has a slight angle in the direction of growth, giving the plant a very playful appearance.

The plant will retain some of its leaves in winter. Additionally, it is already producing flowers during the winter. These flowers bloom around March-April. The yellow flowers appear out of nowhere on this otherwise brown/green plant. The sweet scent of these flowers is the reason the Sophora is also known as the Honey Tree.

The Kówhai is hardy provided it is planted in a sheltered spot. The plant will not grow very large, reaching a maximum height of about one meter. It is native primarily to the northern part of the South Island of New Zealand. Temperatures here are moderate; frost can occur but is rare. Drought and rain often alternate, but the wind here is particularly relentless.

Under these conditions, this hardy little plant has therefore been growing here for years. In the milder conditions of Europe, it is a rewarding plant that, in addition to its ornamental value in summer, is also very beautiful to look at in winter without leaves.

Winter hardiness zone 8b (-10ºC).