This species can be tricky. Some plants will bolt away very quickly indeed (2 metres a year) and others grown in close proximity may languish. Enjoys lime in the soil and seems to respond to inoculation of Rhizobium bacteria from ordinary clover roots. Sophora godleyi is found naturally in damp papa soils from Taihape to Southeastern Taranaki and occurs on stream banks and cliffs. This is a clue to how it grows. However, apart from lime, it is not particularly fussy and does not require a humus-rich soil. I believe it has the showiest flowers and these are complemented by the evergreen weeping foliage with very fine and numerous leaflets.