Common NameChinese Yellow Wood, Amur maackia
FamilyFabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness4-7
Known HazardsNone known
HabitatsForests on hill slopes at elevations of 300 – 900 metres in Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mogol and Shandong Provinces, China.
RangeE. Asia – China, northern and central Japan, Korea.
Edibility Rating        (1 of 5)
Other Uses        (4 of 5)
Weed PotentialNo
Medicinal Rating        (0 of 5)
CareFully HardyWell drained soilMoist SoilFull sun
Amur maackia - Maackia amurensis
Amur maackia - Maackia amurensis
Amur maackia - Maackia amurensis
Amur maackia - Maackia amurensis
Amur maackia - Maackia amurensis
Amur maackia - Maackia amurensis
Amur maackia - Maackia amurensis
Amur maackia - Maackia amurensis
Amur maackia - Maackia amurensis
Amur maackia - Maackia amurensis
Amur maackia - Maackia amurensis
Amur maackia - Maackia amurensis
Amur maackia - Maackia amurensis

Looking for a small, elegant tree that offers beauty and resilience all year long? The Amur Maackia (Maackia amurensis) is a perfect choice. Native to the Amur River region of northeast Asia, this deciduous tree dazzles with silvery spring leaves, creamy white summer blooms, and striking exfoliating bark in winter.

It’s tough enough for cold climates, thrives in a range of soils, and asks for very little maintenance — a hidden gem for gardeners seeking both charm and hardiness.

🌞 How to Grow Amur Maackia

Choose the Right Spot

Amur Maackia grows best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. A sunny, open site ensures stronger flowering and healthier growth. In very hot regions, light afternoon shade helps reduce stress.

Soil Preferences

  • Well-draining soil is essential.
  • Adaptable to loam, sand, or even clay.
  • Prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH.
  • Avoid waterlogged areas — this tree dislikes “wet feet.”

Planting Steps

  1. Plant in spring or fall when soil is cool.
  2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball.
  3. Mix compost into poor soil to improve structure.
  4. Water thoroughly after planting.
  5. Apply mulch around the base — but keep it away from the trunk.

Watering & Feeding

  • Keep soil moist during the first growing season.
  • Once established, Amur Maackia becomes drought-tolerant.
  • Fertilizing is rarely needed — it thrives in average garden soil.

Temperature & Hardiness

This species is incredibly cold-hardy — tolerating temperatures down to -25°C (-13°F). It also withstands urban pollution and dry conditions once mature.

Pruning & Maintenance

Prune only as needed:

  • Best time: Late winter or early spring.
  • Remove dead or crossing branches.
  • Avoid heavy cuts — growth is slow and wounds heal gradually.

🌱 Propagation: How to Multiply Amur Maackia

1. By Seed

The easiest and most rewarding method.

Step-by-step:

  1. Collect brown, mature pods in autumn before they split.
  2. Dry them, extract the seeds, and cold-stratify for 8–12 weeks in a moist medium.
  3. Sow in a light, well-drained mix.
  4. Keep moist and warm; germination may take several weeks.
  5. Transplant when seedlings are sturdy.

2. By Cuttings

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer:

  • 10–15 cm long, dipped in rooting hormone.
  • Insert into a moist, sterile medium.
  • Keep covered to maintain humidity.
  • Transplant after roots develop.

3. By Layering

  • Choose a low branch in spring.
  • Notch the underside, apply rooting hormone, and bury it slightly.
  • Secure it and keep soil moist.
  • Separate from the parent plant once roots form.

🌳 Popular Varieties and Cultivars

‘MaacNificent®’

A compact cultivar with silvery new growth and golden autumn leaves. Upright form and excellent cold tolerance.

‘Summertime™’

Smaller variety (20 ft tall, 15 ft wide) with dense branching and showy white summer flowers — perfect for small gardens.

Species Type (Maackia amurensis)

The classic form: elegant, tough, and well-suited as a single specimen or grouped planting.

🌾 Harvesting and Storing Seeds

After flowering, Amur Maackia produces flat, brown seed pods. To harvest:

  1. Wait until pods dry naturally on the tree.
  2. Pick before they split open.
  3. Air-dry indoors for several days.
  4. Remove and clean seeds.
  5. Store in a cool, dry container.
  6. For best results, stratify before sowing next season.

Harvested seeds keep well for about a year and can be shared or stored for future propagation.

🌺 Common Problems and Tips

✅ Growing Tips

  • Full sun = better blooms.
  • Keep soil well-drained.
  • Avoid overwatering.
  • Use mulch to retain moisture.
  • Prune sparingly for a clean shape.

⚠️ Potential Problems

  • Poor drainage can cause root stress.
  • Extreme humidity may lead to leaf scorch.
  • Over-pruning slows regrowth.

💚 Why Grow Amur Maackia?

  • Four-season beauty: attractive leaves, flowers, and bark.
  • Compact and low-maintenance.
  • Cold-hardy and drought-tolerant.
  • Pollinator-friendly: bees love its summer blossoms.
  • Adaptable: thrives in city and countryside gardens alike.

🌼 Final Thoughts

The Amur Maackia is a rare blend of elegance, toughness, and ecological value. With its silvery spring growth, fragrant summer blooms, and decorative bark, it offers year-round interest with minimal effort.

Whether you grow it as a stand-alone feature or plant a few along a path, this small ornamental tree will bring enduring charm to your garden for decades. If you enjoy propagation, harvesting and growing from seed makes it even more rewarding — allowing you to share this remarkable tree with others.

More information: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Maackia+amurensis