Plant types and subtypes: Perennials
Light Requirements: sun, part-sun
Water Use: medium
Soil Moisture: moist
Soil Description: acid, rich, loam, sand
Height: 3'-5'
Bloom Time: May, June
Bloom Color: yellow
Leaf Color: green, gray-green
Hardiness Zone: 5, 6, 7
Additional Tags: clumping, cottage garden plant
Pricing & Availability
Description
Thermopsis villosa
Also known as:Aaron's rod
,Carolina Lupine
,Carolina bush pea
,bush pea
,bushpea
Thermopsis caroliniana
Description
A member of the Pea family, Aaron's rod produces spikes of yellow flower clusters that closely resembles those of the Lupine. The terminal racemes can reach a height of 5'. Spent flowers will be replaced by hairy pods.
Cultivation
Thermopsis villosa is a beautiful species for use in a cottage garden, or in the back of a perennial flower bed where its height will provide a bright backdrop in late spring to early summer. Some shade is recommended for this species where the summers are hot and dry. Plant in rich, well drained, moist soil. Blooms in May and June. Zones 5-7
Propagation
Propagate by division in fall. To propagate from seed, it is recommended they be soaked over night before sowing. Plants started from seed may take 3 years to mature.
Additional Notes
Easy to grow and moderately drought resistant. Aaron's rod should be planted with adequate spacing because its spread will easily reach 3' across, and it does not like to be crowded.
Native Range & Classification
Recorded County Distribution: USDA data
Native Range:
AL, CT, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OR, TN, VA, VT, WV
Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants | |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants | |
| Superdivision | Spermatophyta | Seed plants | |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants | |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons | |
| Subclass | Rosidae | ||
| Order | Fabales | ||
| Family | Fabaceae | Pea family | |
| Genus | Thermopsis | goldenbanner | |
| Species | Thermopsis villosa | Aaron's rod |