Cold hardy to zone 2, great because we can hit -35F without Wind chill. Deer bed down on the lea side (closer to the house) but don't typically browse the hedge) Peas 30% protein...yes the chickens eat it (goldfinches love it too). Bees and hummingbirds love the flowers. Ours is pushing 12 feet high. Interestingly, I ran across some info claiming that it has colorfast dye properties (some kind of blue which is rare in natural dyes), but haven't been able to find more info ont hat part. people can eat the peas too (kinda like lentils). have a lilac hedge along another side of the property which bloom time is offset (great for bee food). those don't draw the birds (other than the hummers) like the pea shrub does. RC found out its considered invasive in New Jersey so check with your state before planting it (I have sprouts if you want to come get next spring). The chickens happily run through it for the grasshoppers on the other side in the summer, but stay close for aerial protection. also works well for ground predator evasion (the dog came around it and found them on the opposite side of the house, closer to the coop, but dog is no longer out here so good).
Pea shrub does like water, but once established, will tolerate drought conditions (I tend to provide water to anything that looks like it's wilting a tiny bit). Drops it's leaves fairly early and seed pods start exploding in July so bird food available early in harvest schedule, but hide well so can be found well into winter too.
View attachment 2889123Current appearance
View attachment 2889131About 3 years ago
View attachment 2889132Summer foliage (background hedge)
(I will have to look into how they are classified in MA) So, does it aggressively multiply/spread, or more like Lilacs, where if you keep around it mowed, it stays in check? (i.e. rhizome spread, pea seed spread, or both, and lightly or aggressively?) 
