Plants: Nitrogen Fixers for Temperate Climate Permaculture Forest Gardens

Nitrogen is a vital nutrient for plants and plant growth. Nitrogen fixing plants are also a vital component of rebuilding soil fertility with permaculture. These plants comprise a large part of the forest garden.

As a nitrogen fixing plant grows, it creates a symbiotic relationship with bacteria. It is an involved process, but the bottom line is that excess nitrogen is built up in the plants tissues. When leaves fall, roots die, or gardeners prune back leaves (and drop them on the ground to decompose) the excess nitrogen is released back into the soil. This excess nitrogen is picked up by the other plants in the area and utilized for their own growth.

When forest gardening and rebuilding soil fertility, we can surround our one producer plant (a fruit or nut tree, bush, or vine) with many nitrogen fixing plants. As our producer grows, we can chop leaves from the nitrogen fixing plants and mulch our producer. This feeds our producer from the top. Also, as we cut leaves, some of the nitrogen fixing plant's roots die back as well. This fertilizes from underground. And all that extra organic matter continues to build the water retaining capabilities of the soil, provides food for worms, and hiding places for beneficial insects, etc. There are just so many benefits from this.

Here is a more in-depth discussion from Wikipedia about the process: "Nitrogen fixation is the natural process, either biological or abiotic, by which nitrogen (N2) in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia (NH3). This process is essential for life because fixed nitrogen is required to biosynthesize the basic building blocks of life, e.g., nucleotides for DNA and RNA and amino acids for proteins. Nitrogen fixation also refers to other biological conversions of nitrogen, such as its conversion to nitrogen dioxide." (click here for the full aricle if you are really interested)

Following is a list of plants that I assembled and will continue to work on as I obtain more information. All are nitrogen fixers that are compatible with temperate climate permaculture. Plants are listed alphabetically by scientific name. There are a few plants with the same common name. Sometimes I came across multiple listings for Zones for an specific plant. I tried to list the most common and/or reliable zone information. Also, if only one zone is listed, then the plants are hardy to that USDA Zone.

Nitrogen Fixing Plants for Temperate Climate Permaculture

TALL TREES for Temperate Climate Permaculture (50 feet or taller) 1. Gray Alder, Alnus incana, Zone 2-6 2. Black Locust, Robnia pseudoacacia, Zone 3b 3. Japanese Pagoda Tree, Sophora japonica, Zone 4-8 SMALL TREES AND MEDIUM-LARGE SHRUBS for Temperate Climate Permaculture (3-50 feet tall) 1. Prarie Acacia, Acacia angustissima, Zone 7-10 2. Silk Tree or Mimosa, Albizzia julibrisin, Zone 6

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.

Alder,Italian, Alnus cordata, Zone 6 Alder, Speckled, Alnus rugosa, Zone 2-6 Alder, Smooth, Alnus serrulata, Zone 5-8 False Indigo, Amorpha fruticosa, Zone 3 Siberian Pea Shrub, Caragana arborescens, Zone 2-7 Russian Pea Shrub, Caragana frutex, Zone 2-7 Pygmy Pea Shrub, Caragana pygmaea, Zone 3-7 Mountain Mahogany, Cercocarpus montanus, Zone 6 Bladder Senna, Colutea arborescens, Zone 5-7 Russian Olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Zone 2 Silverberry, Elaeagnus commutata, Zone 2-6 Goumi, Elaeagnus multiflora, Zone 5-8 Autumn Olive, Elaeagnus umbellata, Zone 3 Elaeagnus, Elaeagnus x ebbingei, Zone 6 Kentucky Coffee Tree, Gymnocladus dioica, Zone 4 Sea Buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides, Zone 3-7 Golden-chain Tree, Laburnum anagyroides, Zone 5 Bush Clover, Lespedeza bicolor, Zone 4-7 Bush Clover, Lespedza thunbergii, Zone 5 Amur Maackia, Maackia amurensis, Zone 3-7 Southern Bayberry, Myrica cerifera, Zone 6b-9 Northern Bayberry, Myrica pensylvanica, Zone 2-7 Honeypod Mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa, Zone 7 Bristly Locust, Robina hispida, Zone 4-8 Clammy Locust, Robina viscosa, Zone 5-8 Buffaloberry, Shepherdia argentea, Zone 2 Canadian Buffaloberry, Shepherdia canadensis, Zone 2 Spanish Broom, Spartium junceum, Zone 8

HERBACEOUS PLANTS AND SMALL SHRUBS for Temperate Climate Permaculture (Typically under 3 feet) 1. Dwarf Prarie Acacia, Acacia angustissima hirta, Zone 7-10 2. Leadplant, Amorpha canescens, Zone 3 3. Fragrant False Indigo, Amorpha nana, Zone 3-6 4. Canadian Milkvetch, Astragalus canadensis, Zone 3-8 5. Groundplum Milkvetch, Astragalus crassicarpus, Zone 3-8 6. Milkvetch, Astragalus glycyphyllos, Zone 4-8 7. Huang-Qi, Astragalus membranaceous, Zone 5 8. Painted milkvetch, Astragalus pictus-filifolius, Zone 5 9. Wild Blue Indigo, Baptisia australis, Zone 4-8 10. Wild Yellow Indigo, Baptisia tinctoria, Zone 4-9 11. New Jersey Tea, Ceanothus americanus, Zone 3b 12. Mahala Mat, Ceanothus prostatus, Zone 7-10 13. Sweetfern, Comptonia peregrina, Zone 2-6 14. Prostate Broom, Cytisus decumbens, Zone 6-8

15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37.

Showy Tick Trefoil, Desmodium canadense, Zone 3-6 Pointed-Leaved Tick Trefoil, Desmodium glutinosum, Zone 3-9 Mountain Avens, Dryas octopetala, Zone 2-4 Silky-Leaf Woodowaxen, Genista pilosa, Zone 6-8 Trailing Silky-Leaf Woodwaxen, Genista pilosa procumbens, Zone 6-8 Arrow Broom, Genista sagittalis, Zone 3-8 Dryer's Greenwood, Genista tinctoria, Zone 4-7 American Licorice, Glycyrrhiza lepidota, Zone 3-8 European Licorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Zone 6/7 Chinese Licorice, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Zone 5-9 Sweet Vetch, Hedysarum boreale, Zone 3 Sea Buckthorn "Dorana Dwarf", Hippophae rhamnoides cv., Zone 3-7 Chinese Indigo, Indigofera decora, Zone 5 Round-Headed Bush Clover, Lespedeza capitata, Zone 4-8 Prostate Bird's-Foot Trefoil 'Plena', Lotus corniculatus cv., Zone 5 Lupine, Lupinus species., Zone 3-9 Alfalfa, Medicago sativa, Zone 3 Sweet Gale, Myrica gale, Zone 1-6 Breadroot (Prarie Turnip), Psoralea esculenta, Zone 3-7 Two-Flowered Pencil Flower, Stylosanthes biflora, Zone 5 Carolina Bush Pea, Thermopsis villosa, Zone 5-8 Red Clover, Trifolium pratense, Zone 3 White Clover, Trifolium repens, Zone 4

VINES AND CLIMBERS for Temperate Climate Permaculture 1. Hog Peanut, Amphicarpeaea bracteata, Zone 3-9 2. Groundnut, Apios americana, Zone 3 3. Fortune's Groundnut, Apios fortunei, Zone ? 4. Price's Groundnut, Apios priceana, Zone 6 5. Butterfly Pea, Clitoria mariana, Zone 6-9 6. Beach Pea, Lathyrus japonicus maritima, Zone 3b-7 7. Perenial (Everlasting) Pea, Lathyrus latifolius, Zone 4-9 8. Bitter Vetch, Lathyrus linifolius var. montanus, Zone 6b 9. Earth-Nut Pea, Lathyrus tuberosus, Zone 6b 10. Scarlet Runner Bean, Phaseolus coccineus, Zone 9 or Annual plant 11. Wild Bean, Phaseolus polystachios, Zone 6-10 12. Pea, Pisum sativum, Annual plant 13. Wild Bean, Stophostyles umbellata, Zone 6-9 14. American Vetch, Vicia americana, Zone 3-7 15. Wood Vetch, Vicia caroliniana, Zone 3-9 16. Tufted Vetch, Vicia cracca, Zone 6 17. Japanese Wisteria, Wisteria floribunda, Zone 4-9 18. American Wisteria, Wisteria frutescens, Zone 5 19. Kentucky Wisteria, Wisteria macrostachya, Zone 5-9

Most information for this page from Gaia's Garden and Edible Forest Gardens.

Shade-Tolerant Nitrogen Fixers (medium or smaller shrubs and herbs)

This list was independently created by Terra Perma Design (http://www.terrapermadesign.com/) from the Plants for a Future database (http://www.pfaf.org/). The PFAF database and derivative products, including this list, are covered by a Creative Commons attribution/noncommercial/share-alike license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/1.0). More information for each plant is available on the plant's page at PFAF. Some data in this list may be out of date, inaccurate, based on regional experience, or based on personal preferences of the PFAF staff. Use caution and common sense if choosing plants based on this list. Refer to PFAF for the most current information, and cross reference with other sources of information before acquiring and planting any of these species. Heig Hei Edibi Shad Comm Latin Growth ht ght Hardin lity e on PFAF webpage name habit (met (fee ess Ratin tolera name ers) t) g nce Some Myrica Bog http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Shrub 2 6.6 1 2 or gale Myrtle Name=Myrica gale None Northe Myrica Some rn http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin pensylva Shrub 3 9.8 2 3 or Bayber Name=Myrica pensylvanica nica None ry Shepherd Some ia Buffalo http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Shrub 2.5 8.2 2 3 or canadens Berry Name=Shepherdia canadensis None is Amorpha Some Lead http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin canescen Shrub 1.2 3.9 2 2 or Plant Name=Amorpha canescens s None Ceanothu New Some s http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Jersey Shrub 1.2 3.9 4 3 or american Name=Ceanothus americanus Tea None us Comptoni a Some Sweet http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin peregrina Shrub 1.2 3.9 4 3 or Fern Name=Comptonia peregrina asplenifolia asplenifol None ia Comptoni Some Sweet http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin a Shrub 1.5 4.9 4 3 or Fern Name=Comptonia peregrina peregrina None Americ Alnus Some an http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin viridis Shrub 3 9.8 4 2 or Green Name=Alnus viridis crispa crispa None Alder Dwarf Some Amorpha http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Indigob Shrub 0.6 2.0 4 0 or nana Name=Amorpha nana ush None

Senna Wild marilandi Senna ca Ceanothu Sticky s Laurel velutinus Fendle Ceanothu r's s fendleri Ceanot hus Lespedez Lesped a bicolor eza Ceanothu Orego s n Tea sanguine Tree us Cytisus Broom scoparius Smalle Ceanothu r Reds ovatus Root Elaeagnu s Goumi multiflora Elaeagnu s Goumi multiflora ovata Myrica Bayber heteroph ry ylla Ceanothu (hybrid s species s) Colutea x media Ceanothu Buckbr s ush cuneatus Santa Ceanothu Barbar s a impressu Ceanot s hus Colutea istria Ceanothu s Squaw prostratu Carpet s

Shrub

1.5

4.9

Shrub

2.5

8.2

Some or None Some or None

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Senna marilandica http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Ceanothus velutinus

Shrub

6.6

Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Ceanothus fendleri None Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Lespedeza bicolor None Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Ceanothus sanguineus None Some or None Some or None Some or None http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Cytisus scoparius http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Ceanothus ovatus http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Elaeagnus multiflora

Shrub

9.8

Shrub

6.6

Shrub

2.4

7.9

Shrub

3.3

Shrub

9.8

Shrub

9.8

Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Elaeagnus multiflora ovata None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Myrica heterophylla http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Ceanothus species http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Colutea x media http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Ceanothus cuneatus

Shrub

9.8

Shrub

6.6

Shrub

9.8

Shrub

1.8

5.9

Shrub

1.5

4.9

Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Ceanothus impressus None Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Colutea istria None Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Ceanothus prostratus None

Shrub

9.8

Shrub

0.05 0.2

Coriaria terminalis Coriaria napalensi s Coriaria Redoul myrtifolia

Shrub

1.2

3.9

Shrub

2.5

8.2

Shrub

1.8

5.9

Some or None Some or None Some or None

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Coriaria terminalis http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Coriaria napalensis http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Coriaria myrtifolia

Crople Ceanothu af s Shrub Ceanot divergens hus Ceanothu Hollyle s af Shrub purpureu Ceanot s hus Coriaria microphyl Shrub la Erythrina acanthoc Shrub arpa Prickly Erythrina Cardin Shrub zeyheri al Large Vicia Russia Perennial villosa n Climber Vetch Perenn Lathyrus ial Perennial latifolius Sweet Climber Pea Vicia cracca Vicia sepium Tufted Vetch Bush Vetch Perennial Climber Perennial Climber

1.5

4.9

Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Ceanothus divergens None Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Ceanothus purpureus None Some or None Some or None Some or None http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Coriaria microphylla http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Erythrina acanthocarpa http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Erythrina zeyheri

6.6

1.2

3.9

6.6

3.3

1.8

5.9

Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Vicia villosa None Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Lathyrus latifolius None Some or None Some or None http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia cracca http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia sepium

6.6

1.8

5.9

3.3

Amphicar Hog Perennial paea Peanut Climber bracteata Amphicar Hog paea Perennial Peanut pitcheri Apios priceana Perennial

1.5

4.9

Full or http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Some Name=Amphicarpaea bracteata Full or http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Some Name=Amphicarpaea pitcheri Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Apios priceana None Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Glycyrrhiza lepidota None

1.5

4.9

9.8

Americ Glycyrrhi an za Perennial Liquori lepidota ce

3.3

Amphicar paea Perennial edgewort hii Vicia Americ american an Perennial a Vetch Vicia Pea pisiformis Vetch Vicia amurensi s Vicia amoena Vicia venosa Lathyrus alatus Vicia japonica Vicia nipponica Lathyrus Cream ochroleuc Peavin as e Vicia pseudoorobus Apios Groun american d Nut a Galega Goat's officinalis Rue Vicia Giant gigantea Vetch Lathyrus tuberosu s Lathyrus linifolius montanu s Glycyrrhi za uralensis Earthn ut Pea Bitter Vetch Gan Cao Perennial

1.5

4.9

Full or http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Some Name=Amphicarpaea edgeworthii Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia americana http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia pisiformis http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia amurensis http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia amoena http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia venosa http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Lathyrus alatus http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia japonica http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia nipponica http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Lathyrus ochroleucas http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia pseudo-orobus http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Apios americana http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Galega officinalis http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia gigantea http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Lathyrus tuberosus

3.3

1.8

5.9

Perennial

1.5

4.9

Perennial

1.8

5.9

Perennial

3.3

Perennial

0.6

2.0

Perennial

1.5

4.9

Perennial

0.75 2.5

Perennial

3.3

Perennial

1.5

4.9

Perennial

1.2

3.9

Perennial

1.2

3.9

Perennial

3.3

Perennial

1.2

3.9

Perennial

0.6

2.0

Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Lathyrus linifolius montanus None Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Glycyrrhiza uralensis None

Perennial

0.6

2.0

Lathyrus davidii Vicia unijuga TwoLeaf Vetch

Perennial

1.2

3.9

Perennial

0.5

1.6

Glycyrrhi Liquori za glabra ce Glycyrrhi Wild za Liquori echinata ce Glycyrrhi Liquori za glabra ce

Perennial

1.2

3.9

Perennial

3.3

Perennial

1.2

3.9

Cardin Erythrina al Perennial 1 herbacea Spear Hardenb Coral ergia Climber 2 Pea violacea Melilotus Tall Biennial/Per altissimu 1.2 Melilot ennial s Vicia Purple Annual/Per benghale 0.6 Vetch ennial nsis Lathyrus Sweet odoratus Pea Vicia sativa Winter leucosper Tares ma Vicia sativa Vicia faba major Vicia faba equina Winter Tares Broad Bean Horseb ean Annual Climber Annual Climber Annual Climber Annual 2

3.3

6.6

3.9

2.0

6.6

Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None Some or None

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Lathyrus davidii http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia unijuga http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Glycyrrhiza glabra http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Glycyrrhiza echinata http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Glycyrrhiza glabra http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Erythrina herbacea http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Hardenbergia violacea http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Melilotus altissimus http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia benghalensis http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Lathyrus odoratus

1.2

3.9

Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Vicia sativa leucosperma None Some or None Some or None Some or None http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia sativa http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia faba major http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia faba equina

1.2

3.9

3.3

Annual

3.3

Comm Kummero on wia Lesped striata eza Vicia hirsuta Hairy Tare

Annual

0.2

0.7

Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Kummerowia striata None Some or None Some or None http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia hirsuta http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia narbonensis

Annual

0.45 1.5

Vicia French narbonen Vetch sis

Annual

3.3

Vicia Smoot tetrasper h Tare ma Vicia noeana Vicia ervilia Scorpiuru s vermicula tus Scorpiuru s muricatus OneVicia Flower articulata Vetch Bitter Vetch

Annual

0.6

2.0

Annual

0.6

2.0

Annual

0.6

2.0

Some or None Some or None Some or None

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia tetrasperma http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia noeana http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia ervilia

Annual

0.5

1.6

Some http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin or Name=Scorpiurus vermiculatus None Some or None Some or None http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Scorpiurus muricatus http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?Latin Name=Vicia articulata

Annual

0.5

1.6

Annual

0.6

2.0

Gaia's Garden -A Guide to home-scale permaculture by Toby Hemenway: Any of the Elaeagnus plants ( autumn olive, russian olive, goumi, silverberry, etc.) siberian pea shrub (Caragana arborescens) perennial pea Amur maackia (Maackia amurensis) Blue false indigo (Baptisia australis) sherphedia canadesis (soopalalie,native) or argentea (buffaloberry) sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) Golden Chain Tree ( Laburnum anagyroides) Egyptian or European Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) (this is for the herb layer) Spanish broom ( Spartium junceum) dont know if this is as invasive as scotch broom but the idea of a guild is there is a balance of competition so no plants get out of hand and anyway, shrubs are meant to be occasionally 'chop and dropped' as mulch silk tree or mimosa