Robinia

The genus Robinia consists of 20 species of deciduous trees or shrubs. They are characterized by complex alternate leaves composed of opposite leaflets and typical legume flowers with a moth corolla (with a" sail", two" oars "and a" boat") in axillary racemes. The branches are often prickly. The plant was named by Linnaeus in honor of Jean Robin, the caretaker of the French Botanical Garden, who first brought the plant of this genus to Europe in 1601. Undoubtedly, the most common type is Robinia pseudoacacia, or white acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), a tree up to 30 m tall, with a spreading openwork crown. The erect trunk is covered with very easily peeling gray-brown bark. The branches are prickly. Leaves are complex 10-25 cm long, with stipules in the form of spines up to 2 cm long. In autumn, the foliage takes on a bright yellow hue. In May-June, white-cream fragrant flowers bloom, collected in drooping multi-flowered, 10-20 cm long brushes. The nectar of the flowers is particularly attractive to bees. Fruits acquire a brown-red color when ripe. They're holding up on Robinia until winter. Plants easily produce shoots from the stump and root offspring. The seeds, bark, and roots are poisonous. Robinia bristle-haired (R. hispida) is a small shrub or tree with unpaired leaves of 7-13 dark green leaflets. In May-June, pink fragrant flowers bloom, collected in rare axillary brushes. Occasionally, bristly-hairy beans are formed. Robinia Kelsey (R. kelseyi) is usually a shrub with light green pinnate leaves. Collected in a brush of lilac-pink flowers bloom in June.

The genus Robinia consists of 20 species of deciduous trees or shrubs. They are characterized by complex alternate leaves composed of opposite leaflets and typical legume flowers with a moth corolla (with a" sail", two" oars "and a" boat") in axillary racemes. The branches are often prickly. The plant was named by Linnaeus in honor of Jean Robin, the caretaker of the French Botanical Garden, who first brought the plant of this genus to Europe in 1601.

Undoubtedly, the most common type is Robinia pseudoacacia, or white acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), a tree up to 30 m tall, with a spreading openwork crown. The erect trunk is covered with very easily peeling gray-brown bark. The branches are prickly. Leaves are complex 10-25 cm long, with stipules in the form of spines up to 2 cm long. In autumn, the foliage takes on a bright yellow hue. In May-June, white-cream fragrant flowers bloom, collected in drooping multi-flowered, 10-20 cm long brushes. The nectar of the flowers is particularly attractive to bees. Fruits acquire a brown-red color when ripe. They're holding up on Robinia until winter. Plants easily produce shoots from the stump and root offspring. The seeds, bark, and roots are poisonous.

Robinia bristle-haired (R. hispida) is a small shrub or tree with unpaired leaves of 7-13 dark green leaflets. In May-June, pink fragrant flowers bloom, collected in rare axillary brushes. Occasionally, bristly-hairy beans are formed.

Robinia Kelsey (R. kelseyi) is usually a shrub with light green pinnate leaves. Collected in a brush of lilac-pink flowers bloom in June.

Cultivation

Robinia is grown in parks and gardens as a beautiful flowering plant. In addition, they are used in landscaping inconvenient lands, as well as to strengthen scree and dams. There are many decorative forms with different structure of the crown, color of leaves and flowers. Robinias are highly valued for their resistance to urban pollution. They are planted in the ground in October (in cold climates) or March. These plants do not require much soil, although they prefer a well-drained, neutral or slightly acidic environment. Therefore, it is better to pre-add sulfate to the calcareous soil. iron. Only young plants are pruned, which contributes to the development of their root system.

Location

Very light-loving culture; prefers a place in the open sun; also suitable for partial shade.

Temperature

These plants are resistant to both high and low air temperatures.

Watering

In general, Robinia is drought-resistant, watering is required only for young plants, immediately after planting at a permanent planting site and during a long drought. Adult plants are extremely resistant to dry soil and air.

Reproduction

It is easily propagated by seeds. Sowing is carried out in the spring in the open ground. Seedlings are gradually planted, and it will be possible to finally determine them in place in 2-3 years. You can use offspring with an already formed root system, separating them from the mother plant in autumn or late winter and immediately transplanting them to the open air. But even in this case, they are planted on a permanent landing site only after 2-3 years.

Diseases

Robinias are susceptible to infection by fungi that cause wood smut. The affected parts must be removed or the plant itself removed. If the soil is unsuitable (alkaline), chlorosis can begin (the leaves turn yellow and dry out). Apply iron sulfate to the soil as previously recommended.

Acquisition

Robinias are easily found in gardening centers and specialized nurseries. For the garden, it is recommended to purchase varieties without thorns. Buy well-formed, healthy young plants in containers.