Amur maackia
Maackia amurensis · Fabaceae
📷 Bruce Marlin · CC BY-SA 2.5
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around amur maackia and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to August, white flowers in clusters
- Mature size
- 5 to 6 m in height
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -30°C)
- Origin
- Manchuria, northeast Asia
- Soil type
- Well-drained, fertile
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Maackia amurensis is a slow-growing, steady tree that thrives in deep, well-drained soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH. Watering during the first two years is crucial; after that, its deep root system makes it highly self-sufficient.
The common mistake
Its extreme hardiness is confused with rapid growth, leading people to neglect it during its first years.
The pro's trick
Don't try to speed up its growth with fertilizer; Maackia thrives on patience and consistency.
Care
Sunlight
Plant your Amur maackie in full sun for abundant flowering. It tolerates partial shade but will flower less profusely. Choose a location sheltered from strong winds, even though the tree is very resistant.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting to encourage root establishment. Once well-established, the tree tolerates relative drought. Keep the soil lightly moist during hot, dry periods, especially when flowers are forming.
Soil
Prefer fertile, well-drained soil that's slightly acidic to neutral. Avoid compacted or waterlogged areas. Enrich the planting soil with compost or potting soil at planting time.
Pruning
Prune lightly after flowering (August-September) to shape the tree harmoniously. Remove dead or diseased branches in late winter. Drastic pruning is generally unnecessary; this species has a naturally balanced growth habit.
Fertilizing
Apply a moderate amount of balanced fertilizer in spring to support growth. As a legume, maackie partially fixes atmospheric nitrogen; excess nitrogen fertilizer is unnecessary and may promote foliage at the expense of flowers.
Pests and diseases
A very healthy species rarely affected by common diseases. Occasionally visited by aphids or scale insects, easily managed with natural treatments if necessary. No major problems reported in cultivation.
Did you know?
The Amur maackie owes its name to the Amur River that flows through Manchuria, its region of origin. In northeast Asia, it has been appreciated for centuries for its remarkable hardiness against harsh winters and its superb white flower clusters that brighten the summer landscape. This legume was traditionally used in Asian landscape design to restore depleted soils thanks to its nitrogen-fixing root nodules.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.