Robinia pseudoacacia Coluteoides - Black locust

Robinia pseudoacacia 'Coluteoides' is a little-known and original variety of Black Locust, of low height, picturesque in appearance and especially floriferous. It blooms in late spring, covering its foliage with well-scented cream-coloured flowers gathered in clusters. Drought and cold resistant, and unobtrusive, it is an excellent tree for all gardens, even the smallest. Like other robinias, 'Coluteoides' is an abundant source of nectar for bees and other pollinating insects.

Robinia pseudoacacia 'Coluteoides' was described in 1857 in a French publication and then distributed by the Späth nursery in Berlin. This cultivar should not be confused with Robinia pseudoacacia sophoraefolia from the Loddiges nursery (London). Like all Robinias, it is a member of the Fabaceae family (formerly Leguminosae).

The Black Locust 'Coluteoides' is distinguished from the species by its small development, its foliage composed of smaller and tighter leaflets, as well as the abundance of its flowering. Of rather slow growth, it generally reaches 4 to 5 m in height. It forms a massive trunk supporting a wide, loose, and irregular crown, sometimes slightly umbrella-shaped. It can reach a span of 3 to 4 m. The bark of older specimens is interesting: it is light grey to grey-brown, deeply fissured by intersecting longitudinal furrows forming diamonds. The foliage, with a fine texture, is deciduous. The leaves are composed of about twenty small leaflets measuring less than 2.5 cm long, tightly arranged on dark brown branches. They are very decorative, changing from bright acidic green at bud burst to medium green before turning golden yellow in autumn. Flowering occurs in May-June, on individuals around ten years old. The pendulous inflorescences, 10 to 15 cm long, are produced in abundance. They are composed of butterfly-like, cream-white flowers. This flowering is very fragrant, with an orange scent, attracts pollinating insects and can be cooked into fritters. It is followed by the formation of flat, reddish, 5 to 10 cm long pods containing 4-5 brown bean-shaped seeds. Note that only the flowers can be consumed; the rest of the plant is highly toxic. Naturally suckering, the Black Locust produces numerous shoots at its base that should be removed in autumn to maintain a beautiful habit and highlight its trunk.

This 'Coluteoides' Robinia is unobtrusive, meaning this beautiful park tree that is so easy to live with can be grown in small gardens. It requires only a sunny position and well-drained soil to thrive. Plant it as a solitary specimen; it is well worth it! If you love pea flowers and fragrances, pair it with a wisteria trained as a tree and a laburnum. Due to its irregular silhouette, it also integrates very well into informal and naturalistic gardens, for example with lilacs, winged euonymus, and cotinus. It can be successfully grown in most regions.