Siberian Pea Tree Tree Seeds | Siberian Peashrub | (Caragana arborescens)
Siberian Pea Tree Tree Seeds | Siberian Peashrub | (Caragana arborescens)
The hardest-working shrub you have never heard of.
Caragana arborescens, the Siberian Pea Shrub, is a true workhorse of the landscape. Native to Siberia and Manchuria, it thrives in extreme cold, drought, poor soils, and exposed wind where most plants fail. This nitrogen-fixing, wildlife-supporting shrub builds soil, provides food, and establishes quickly in challenging environments. For homesteaders, permaculture systems, and cold-climate growers, it is one of the most functional plants you can add to your land.
- Exceptionally cold-hardy, thriving down to zone 2
- Nitrogen-fixing roots improve surrounding soil fertility
- Produces edible, protein-rich seeds for humans and livestock
- Early yellow flowers provide critical nectar for pollinators
- Highly drought-tolerant and adaptable to poor soils
Things You Probably Didn’t Know
It actively builds better soil.
Siberian Pea Shrub forms a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, pulling nitrogen from the air and enriching the soil around it as it grows.
The seeds are high in protein.
The pea-like seeds contain around 36% protein and have historically been used as food and livestock feed, especially in harsh climates.
It helped fight the Dust Bowl.
The USDA planted millions of Siberian Pea Shrubs during the Great Plains Shelterbelt project to reduce wind erosion and stabilize farmland.
It feeds pollinators early.
Blooming before most shrubs, it provides an early-season nectar source that supports bees and butterflies emerging from winter.
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Caragana arborescens
- Stratification: Recommended; scarification or 30 days cold stratification improves germination
- USDA Zones: 2–7
- Soil: Extremely adaptable; tolerates poor, dry, sandy, rocky, or alkaline soils
- Light: Full sun
- Height: 10–20 feet
- Spread: 8–15 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (2–3 ft/year)
Plant it where nothing else survives and let it build the soil for everything that comes after.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
