Plant locust - spherical acacia in the garden or pot

Anyone who has a garden that is too small for planting trees is better served with a spherical locust. The acacia tree can even be kept in a bucket.

Who doesn't want a pretty tree to be the focal point and adornment of the garden? Unfortunately, this idea often remains a dream, because a small front garden is not the ideal place for majestic trees. The spherical robinia, on the other hand, is also suitable for smaller gardens without hesitation. The trees are only a few meters high and you can also shape them and trim them. Globe robinia conjure up Mediterranean charm in every garden, enchanting with their filigree foliage and attractive autumn colors. If you would like to enrich your garden with these fast-growing and undemanding plants, you can find out everything you need to know about planting the globose locust here.

Robinia - small plant profile

There are twenty types of robinia. The spherical robinia is one of the most popular representatives of the genus. The small species with its spherical crown was created by grafting the conventional robinia. With its filigree, feather-shaped leaves, the black locust is reminiscent of the acacia, which also gave it the name "false acacia". The dense crown of the plants is formed by the oval blue-green leaves. The spherical locust can thus become a popular source of shade in the home garden. The trees are not only an ornament in summer. The autumn colors are particularly attractive. In the colors yellow, red or golden brown, the spherical locust seems to be on fire.

Note: The spherical locust does not produce flowers.

The original home of the robinia is in the USA. Cultivation in Europe has been documented since the 16th century. At first, the trees were only found in the parks of the nobility. In the 18th century, however, the fast-growing robinia trees were also used for reforestation. Today the plants are widespread in Europe, East Asia and North Africa. Robinia are increasingly used as a garden plant. Numerous cultivars have emerged. Since the robinia is insensitive to dust, smoke or soot, the trees are also increasingly found in thecities again. The attractive spherical acacias thrive on the side of the road, in public places or along the way. Even in small gardens, spherical robinia are preferred. The easy-care plants form lush crowns and make the gardens appear larger.

Find the right location

Globular locusts should be given a location where they can develop optimally. It should be borne in mind that although this is a visually comparatively small tree, robinia grow enormously - untrimmed crowns reach dimensions of four to five meters. So choose a stand that gives the plants the space they need. A warm and sunny location is recommended for the spherical locust. Full sun exposure is tolerated as well as the plant can come to terms with prolonged drought and urban climates. So that a lush crown can form and the thin twigs don't snap, the locust should be placed in a wind-protected location.

Select the ideal plant substrate

As a robust and undemanding plant, the globose robinia does not make any great demands on the soil. It should be loose soil. Heavy clay soils are less well tolerated. If the soil is not permeable enough, the liquid can drain off poorly and waterlogging can occur. The plants cannot tolerate this and the roots rot.

Tip: The soil can be loosened by adding gravel or sand.

The plants thrive on dry sandy or gravel soil. Lime is less well tolerated. Therefore, irrigation should preferably be done with rainwater. The soil must not be too sparse.

When is the best time to plant?

If it is a potted plant, it can be planted all year round. Excludes days when there is frost. Bare-rooted plants are preferably placed in the ground between September and April. Here, too, planting is possible in winter if there is no frost on the ground.

Planting the globose locust - step by step

Select Location
Prepare the ground
Water plant
Dig planting hole
Insert plant

Fill substrate
Press substrate well
Water plant
Support Plant

Place the plant in the planting hole so that the base of the trunk is directly above the surface of the earth. The planting hole can then be filled with substrate. The soil should be pressed down well. Support the trunk with a stake to ensure that the plant stands securely during the initial growth phase. The stake is placed in the ground immediately next to the trunk and the trunk is secured to the stake with taut cord or flexible wire.

Tip: Bandaging the trunk with jute protects it from damage until the plant has developed sufficiently.

In the first few months after planting, the spherical locust should be watered sufficiently. Water preferably with rainwater, as the plants do not tolerate lime well.

Warning: The spherical locust is poisonous. Therefore, work with gloves and keep small children and pets away from the plant.

Robinia in a bucket - is that possible?

Particularly young trees can also be cultivated in pots. This allows you to fulfill your dream of having a house tree, even if you don't have your own garden. There are a few things to consider when cultivating the trees on the balcony or terrace.

Planting the spherical robinia in the tub - step by step

Select planter
Insert drainage into the bottom of the vessel
Insert plant
Fill substrate
Select Location
Note care instructions

When choosing the planter, make sure there are enough drainage holes in the bottom. Furthermore, the planter should be of sufficient size so that the roots can spread well. Before you use the spherical robinia, it is advisable to place a drainage in the bottom of the vessel. If the bottom of the container is covered with gravel, the liquid can drain off better and waterlogging is counteracted.

Tip: If the spherical locust is in a saucer, the irrigation water should be removed from it regularly.

A sheltered location should be selected for the planter. Regular watering is essential for potted plantsnecessary. The plant in the bucket also needs sufficient nutrients. This can be covered with a dose of slow-release fertilizer in spring. Regular pruning is necessary to ensure that the tree retains its compact size and is therefore still suitable as a container plant.

Tip: The spherical robinia overwinters best in a cool but frost-free room.

When do you need to repot?

The spherical robinia must be repotted at the latest when the root network has penetrated the planter. The hobby gardener recognizes this when the roots look out of the ground and the soil in the container appears to be penetrated by roots. The best time for transplanting the globose locust is early spring.