Robinia margaretta Georgia da Torino - Pink Locust

Robinia x margaretta Georgia da Torino is a new Italian variety of Robinia with many advantages. This medium-sized tree, about ten metres tall, grows quickly in most soils. In the second half of spring, it produces a profusion of long clusters of deep purple flowers that stand out against the green foliage. Pleasantly fragrant, they also delight bees. Growing in full sun, it is not afraid of drought or heat, is very hardy, and tolerates pollution without any problems. A true beginner's plant, it is not affected by any parasites and is particularly ornamental.

Robinia is a member of the Fabaceae family (formerly Leguminosae), a large family of nearly 20,000 species divided into three subfamilies, including Faboideae to which Robinia is related, like Cytisus, Lupin, or Peanut. There are 20 species of Robinias, trees and shrubs, all native to North America and Mexico. Robinia x margaretta is a hybrid between R. pseudoacacia, the false acacia with white flowers and R. hispida, a shrub 1.50 to 2 m tall with pink flowers. The best-known variety resulting from this crossbreeding is 'Casque Rouge', obtained in the 1970s.
'Georgia da Torina' is much more recent as it was introduced to the market in 2016 by Italian professor Maurizio Ceruti from Turin, who named it in honour of his wife. More compact than Casque Rouge, this fast-growing tree reaches approximately 10 metres in height and 8 metres in spread within 10 years of planting. It has a somewhat irregular and slightly tousled habit, with long branches that are much less prone to breaking in the wind than other varieties. It also withstands the weight of snow well, which is a real asset for this type of plant. The leaves are compound, odd-pinnate, meaning they have two rows of leaflets facing each other and one terminal leaflet. The 11 to 19 leaflets are ovate, measuring 3.5 to 5 cm in length and 2 to 2.5 cm in width. The leaves are a vibrant green with a slightly fuzzy underside, turning yellow in autumn.
Flowering takes place in May-June, in the form of long clusters that can reach 15 to 20 cm in length, composed of butterfly-like flowers typical of the subfamily to which Robinia belongs. The corollas are composed of five unequal petals with evocative names. The uppermost petal, the largest, is called the "banner," the two lateral petals are the "wings," and the small lower petals make up the "keel". These floral parts are tinged with a bright pink with a slight purple hue, and the banner is marked in the centre by a discreet yellow spot with whitish sides. These pendulous inflorescences are produced in large quantities, delighting pollinators and diffusing a pleasant fragrance in the vicinity. Fruits follow the flowers in the form of flat, dark brown pods, measuring 5 to 9 cm in length and containing 3 to 8 seeds.

This Robinia Georgia da Torino is a blessing for beginner gardeners, as it is easy to grow. Fabaceae are capable of assimilating nitrogen in its atmospheric form rather than its organic form, allowing them to thrive in nutrient-poor soils. As a result, this small tree can grow in poor, even limestone and dry soils, without minding urban pollution, cold, or wind. It only requires a sunny exposure and well-drained soil to develop. Plant it as a standalone specimen or in the background of a bed with other tough plants like Colutea media Copper Beauty. This indestructible shrub, in these conditions, is highly ornamental with its coppery orange pea-like flowers and even more so with the curious red pods that follow and coexist with them. Your children will love popping them by stepping on them. In less severe climates, you can also plant the charming Cistes alongside, with their ephemeral flowers that regularly reappear in spring or summer. Depending on your soil type, be sure to choose a variety adapted to limestone or rather to slightly acidic soils...