How to Grow Caragana
GROWING ‘ROSS’ CARAGANA
‘Ross’ Caragana (Caragana arborescens) is an extremely hardy and vigorous shrub that is well adapted to the prairies. Caragana belongs to the legume family and fixes its own nitrogen. This means it will grow equally well in low nutrient and fertile soils. Under prairie conditions and with good care, ‘Ross’ caragana can reach a height of six meters (18 feet) in about 10 years.
Caragana is meant to be used in the southern prairies where moisture and soil conditions limit the variety of shrub species that grow well. It should never be planted in or near a forest environment, once established in the forest it can spread quickly and be difficult to control or eradicate.
Planting a Caragana Shelterbelt
For establishment of shelterbelts, planting of seedlings will in most cases produce the best results, they can be started from seed; providing the ground is well worked and free of weeds. Crop land can be weedy which will quickly choke out young emerging seedlings before are established. Whether started from seed or seedlings, it is necessary to keep the soil well cultivated on both sides and in the row for three or four years. This can be done quite conveniently with a small cultivator or disc. As the caragana grows, the cultivated strip will need to be widened. Never sow or plant caragana in a low spot where water may lie for even a short time in spring. The plants will likely die under wet conditions.
Growing ‘Ross’ Caragana from Seed.
Prior to sowing, soak the seed for about two days in fresh water at room temperature (change water once to ensure freshness). If you have access to a legume inoculant, lightly coat the seed with it prior to sowing. The inoculant will help to activate the nitrogen fixing ability of the caragana sooner.
Sow in rows the same as radish or any similar garden seed. An ordinary garden seeder will handle this seed nicely. Sow the seed at a depth of 3/4 to 1 inch, never more than 1 1/2 inches with 12 to 18 seeds to the foot. Fall sowing seed generally gives the best results when sown from October 1 to just before freeze-up. If sown in the spring, get the seed in just as early as possible, and if the soil freezes again after sowing, so much the better. Leave enough space for cultivation between the rows. The seedlings should average from 10 inches to 18 inches the first season, which is a good size for shelterbelt planting.
Creating a Trimmed Caragana Hedge
Plant seedlings about one foot apart in the row. Nothing is gained by placing them more closely. To create a hedge plants are severely cut back to stimulate thick bushy growth from the bottom. The first operation immediately after planting is to cut the tops to within about an inch of the ground. In the following spring six to ten inches of the previous year’s growth are pruned away. After the third season the hedge can be left to grow to the desired height. After that the hedge is trimmed once or twice each season to keep it neat and at the height you want it.
Good Luck With Your Planting!
‘Ross’ Caragana (Caragana arborescens) is an extremely hardy and vigorous shrub that is well adapted to the prairies. Caragana belongs to the legume family and fixes its own nitrogen. This means it will grow equally well in low nutrient and fertile soils. Under prairie conditions and with good care, ‘Ross’ caragana can reach a height of six meters (18 feet) in about 10 years.
Caragana is meant to be used in the southern prairies where moisture and soil conditions limit the variety of shrub species that grow well. It should never be planted in or near a forest environment, once established in the forest it can spread quickly and be difficult to control or eradicate.
Planting a Caragana Shelterbelt
For establishment of shelterbelts, planting of seedlings will in most cases produce the best results, they can be started from seed; providing the ground is well worked and free of weeds. Crop land can be weedy which will quickly choke out young emerging seedlings before are established. Whether started from seed or seedlings, it is necessary to keep the soil well cultivated on both sides and in the row for three or four years. This can be done quite conveniently with a small cultivator or disc. As the caragana grows, the cultivated strip will need to be widened. Never sow or plant caragana in a low spot where water may lie for even a short time in spring. The plants will likely die under wet conditions.
Growing ‘Ross’ Caragana from Seed.
Prior to sowing, soak the seed for about two days in fresh water at room temperature (change water once to ensure freshness). If you have access to a legume inoculant, lightly coat the seed with it prior to sowing. The inoculant will help to activate the nitrogen fixing ability of the caragana sooner.
Sow in rows the same as radish or any similar garden seed. An ordinary garden seeder will handle this seed nicely. Sow the seed at a depth of 3/4 to 1 inch, never more than 1 1/2 inches with 12 to 18 seeds to the foot. Fall sowing seed generally gives the best results when sown from October 1 to just before freeze-up. If sown in the spring, get the seed in just as early as possible, and if the soil freezes again after sowing, so much the better. Leave enough space for cultivation between the rows. The seedlings should average from 10 inches to 18 inches the first season, which is a good size for shelterbelt planting.
Creating a Trimmed Caragana Hedge
Plant seedlings about one foot apart in the row. Nothing is gained by placing them more closely. To create a hedge plants are severely cut back to stimulate thick bushy growth from the bottom. The first operation immediately after planting is to cut the tops to within about an inch of the ground. In the following spring six to ten inches of the previous year’s growth are pruned away. After the third season the hedge can be left to grow to the desired height. After that the hedge is trimmed once or twice each season to keep it neat and at the height you want it.
Good Luck With Your Planting!