Bushes That Produce Bean Pods

Acacia

• Several shrubs in the Acacia genus produce bea-like pods. This group of plants, native to Australia, Africa, Central America and the southwestern United States, tend to tolerate drought and heat and thrive in arid environments. Shrublike species include the Snowy River wattle (A. boormanii), which grows from 10 to 16 feet tall with a similar spread and a low canopy. This native Australian has evergreen foliage, blooms with fragrant yellow flowers and produces long, brown seed pods in summer. Snowy River wattles thrive in full sun to partial shade and tolerate alkaline sites. The mescat acacia (A. constricta) forms a dense thicket of deciduous foliage. This shrub grows from 10 to 20 feet tall and blooms with aromatic flowers in summer. It produces 3-inch-long brown pods from fall through winter and tolerates drought.

Genista

• Many shrubs in the Genista genus grow well in a range of site conditions, from sand to clay soil, acidic to alkaline pH levels and moist or dry sites. Species include the Mt. Aetna broom (G. aethnensis), a deciduous shrub that grows to 20 feet tall in a vase or rounded shape. Mt. Aetna brooms flower with yellow blossoms in spring, followed by 1/2- to 1 ½-inc- long seed pods in summer. The bridal veil broom (G. monosperma) also grows up to 20 feet tall. This deciduous shrub has gray-green foliage and blooms with showy, white flowers in late winter or early spring. It produces large brown pods in summer or fall and tolerates drought.

Caesalpinia

• Shrubs in the Caesalpinia genus produce bean-podlike fruits. These shrubs have evergreen to deciduous foliage, depending on climate, and have binately compound foliage common to many arid-climate plants. The yellow bird of paradies (C. gilliesii) grows to 10 feet tall with an 8-foot spread. It blooms in summer with showy red or yellow flowers, followed by long, brown pods in autumn. This shrub grows well in full sun to partial shade and tolerates dry, wet or alkaline soils and drought. The red bird of paradise (C. pulcherrima) grows to 12 feet tall with a similar spread. It blooms with red, orange and yellow flowers and produces brown seed pods. It thrives in sunny sites with acidic, well-draining soil.

Calliandra

• Shrubs in the Calliandra genus grow well as hedges. These evergreens thrive in warm climates and have large, pinnate foliage. The powderpuff (C. haematocephala) grows from 10 to 20 feet tall with a 12-foot spread and blooms with aromatic pink, red and white flowers year-round. It produces brown seed pods and grows best in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. The pink powderpuff (C. surinamensis) grows to 15 feet tall with a similar spread. It flowers through the year with fragrant, pink blossoms, followed by brown pods. Pink powderpuffs grow best in acidic, well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade exposures.