Robinia hispida Rosea - Rose acacia

Robinia hispida 'Rosea' is commonly known as the Rose Acacia. Its light and finely-cut foliage, its flowering in clusters of papilionaceous flowers, and its excellent adaptability to poor soils are all characteristics that bring together members of the Fabaceae family. This Robinia, which does not exceed three metres in height, blooms abundantly in spring, and again in late summer, in a lovely dark pink colour. Naturally resistant to summer drought and not demanding in terms of soil, this Robinia is a boon for dry or natural gardens.

Robinia hispida (synonym Robinia elliottii) is native to the dry undergrowth of the Southeastern United States. Fabaceae are capable of assimilating nitrogen in its atmospheric form and not in its organic form, allowing them to grow in nutrient-poor soils. The 'Rosea' cultivar stands out for its darker pink colour in its flowering. It quickly reaches a height of 1.80 metres (6ft), then its growth slows down. It will reach an average height of 2.75 metres (9ft) at maturity, with a spread of 2.50 metres (8ft). Its habit is fairly loose and overall rounded. It develops one or more thin trunks and a sparsely leafy crown, carried by brittle branches. The branches of this Robinia are glandular and covered with brown spines. Its deciduous leaves, 15cm (5.9in) long, are divided into 10 to 13 small leaflets, in a tender light green colour. The flowering takes place in May-June and often again in August-September, on relatively young individuals. The pendulous and generous inflorescences, 10 to 20cm (3.9 - 7.9in) long, are produced abundantly. They are composed of numerous dark pink papilionaceous flowers that go perfectly with the light green foliage. This flowering attracts pollinating insects. It is followed by the formation of flat, hairy pods, 6 to 8cm (2.4 - 3.1in) long, containing brown seeds.

This Rose Robinia is suitable for both small and large gardens. Planted alone in the centre of a bed, it also thrives on slopes or in informal and defensive hedges. You can place it against a background of evergreen shrubs or conifers (cypress, thuja, yew, junipers), surrounded by roses that often bloom simultaneously. It can also be associated, in a flowering grove and in poor soil, with other undemanding and highly ornamental trees or shrubs such as Sophora davidii, Laburnum cytisus, Indigofera gerardiana, Colutea arborescens ...