View source for Sophora molloyi 'Dragon's Gold'

{{SPlantbox
|familia=Fabaceae
|genus=Sophora
|species=molloyi
|cultivar=Dragon's Gold
|common_name=Kowhai Dragon's Gold
|habit=shrub
|Min ht box=1
|Min ht metric=m
|Max ht box=2
|Max ht metric=m
|Min wd box=1
|Min wd metric=m
|Max wd box=2
|Max wd metric=m
|origin=Stevens Island, New Zealand
|poisonous=All parts.
|lifespan=perennial
|exposure=sun, part-sun
|water=moist, moderate, dry
|features=evergreen, flowers, birds, wildlife, bees, bonsai
|flower_season=early spring, early winter, mid winter, late winter
|Min Temp Num=-10
|Temp Metric=°C
|min_zone=8
|max_zone=10
|image=Upload.png
|image_width=240
}}
'''''[[Sophora molloyi|S. molloyi]]'' 'Dragon's Gold'''' is a variety that was discovered on Steven's Island in New Zealand during the 1950's. The name 'Dragon's Gold' comes from the fact that Steven's Island has a very large population of Tuatara.

The flowers are a darker yellow than most other species of [[Kowhai]]. It also flowers over a much longer period than other Kowhai, going from around early winter through to early spring. The plant does not usually attain a height much more than 2 metres, although specimens have been known to reach 6 metres.

==Cultivation==
''S. molloyi'' 'Dragon's Gold' is best planted in a sunny or semi shaded position with moist, free draining soil but will easily tolerate poor dry exposed areas once established. It can be pruned after flowering to form a dense hedge or topiary.

===Propagation===
The [[seed|seeds]] need to be treated specially to make them grow. In nature the hard outer shell of the Kowhai seed erodes away as it tumbles down streams, so the shell needs to be damaged somehow to allow water to soak into it. To allow this, one can take small nicks out of the shell using a pair of nail clippers or some similar instrument. After the [[chitting]], the seed needs to be placed in a container of water to soak for a night.<br>
The seeds are best planted in a coarse mix to allow for good drainage, this prevents rotting or fungal infections.<br>
The germination period is 14-21 days.

''S. molloyi'' 'Dragon's Gold' can be grown from [[cutting|cuttings]] during autumn and early winter. They will take about 60-100 days to root and can be planted out in spring.

===Pests and diseases===

The Kowhai caterpillar is a bright-green and black caterpillar that strips the leaves of the kowhai. The treatment for such a problem is the use of an insecticide such as [[Orthene]] (NZ), [[Mavrik]] (NZ), [[Shield]] (NZ) or [[Super Shield]] (NZ).<ref>Yate's 'Garden Problem Solver', HarperCollins, New Zealand, 2001</ref>

==Gallery==

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Image:Upload.png| photo 1
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</gallery>

==References==
<references/>
*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->

==External links==
*{{wplink}}

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