Gleditsia
Honey locust
- Height × spread
- 3m – 15m × 1.5m – 10m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 14 species of these often beautiful deciduous trees. They come from a number of areas that include the Americas, Africa and parts of Asia. Many of the trees have thorns that grow out of the bark, a curious and often picturesque feature. There are a number of small trees such as Gleditsia caspica that is unlikely to exceed a height of 12 metres, whilst Gleditsia delavayi and Gleditsia ferox only reach 10 metres high or may even be shrubby in character. The smallest is Gleditsia heterophyll, a shrub that only stands around 3 metres in height. The tree most often seen in cultivation in the UK is Gleditsia triacanthos and its many cultivars - there are gold-foliaged and a red-purple foliage form that make highly ornamental, elegant trees.
- Foliage colour
- Green, Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Brown, Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Fan, Weeping
- Height
- 3m – 15m
- Spread
- 1.5m – 10m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Scented garden, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural, Architectural, Bird attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.