Robinia pseudoacacia 'Umbraculifera'

RHS Plant Profile

parasol acacia

Synonyms

Robinia pseudoacacia 'Inermis' hort.

Trees

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A small, deciduous tree to 10m if left unpruned, but otherwise usually 4-5m. The leaves are green with many pairs of rounded leaflets which turn yellow in autumn. Tolerant of pollution so makes a good urban courtyard specimen

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or 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): H6
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched, Columnar upright, Suckering
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eatenskin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eatenskin 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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any soil in good light. Remove any suckers that grow, which may have long thorns. For more advice see tree cultivation. Has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Pruning group 1 for maintaining a neat ball, or pruning group 7 for pollarding; pruning should be done in late summer or early autumn to prevent bleeding. Suckers should be removed if necessary, in autumn

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus