2020 Theodore Klein Plant Award Winners

Maackia amurensis, Amur maackia, is an excellent small tree for Kentucky landscapes. It’s late spring white blooms are excellent for attracting local pollinators.

This relatively uncommon member of the pea family grows to 25-30-foot tall with a slightly irregular outline. While it leafs out a bit late in the spring, emerging leaves are covered with silver-colored, silky hairs that make the entire tree shine.

.

Later in spring, the tree produces erect masses of sweetly fragrant white flowers that attract large masses of pollinating bees. This is a great tree for late spring color. It is zone 4 cold hardy and tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions.  Text by Paul Cappiello, Director, Yew Dell Gardens.

.

The compound leaves are attractive during the season.

Images: Win Dunwell