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Shrubs

Robinia hispida

rose acacia

A suckering deciduous shrub with bristly branches bearing pinnate leaves with oval leaflets, and short racemes of deep rose-pink flowers 3cm long in late spring and early summer

Other common names

bristly locust
moss locust

Synonyms

Robinia hispida 'Rosea'

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Suckering
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin irritant - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Robinia are vigorous suckering trees and shrubs, sometimes thorny, with pinnate leaves and racemes of pea-type flowers in early summer, sometimes followed by seed pods
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Can be wall-trained, tying in young growths when they are pliable. Shelter from strong winds, as the branches are brittle

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Propagate by root cuttings, or propagate by grafting in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 1; prune in mid- to late-summer to prevent bleeding. Remove suckers in autumn

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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