Robinia pseudoacacia Twisty Baby Lace Lady - Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia 'Twisty Baby' Lace Lady is a dwarf but vigorous form of the Tortuosa Black Locust, well suited to small gardens and container cultivation on a terrace. A true botanical curiosity, this variety of False Acacia has a completely twisted growth, from the trunk to the frizzy light green foliage that sometimes gives the impression of being affected by an insect or disease. In spring, white and fragrant flower clusters similar to those of wisteria appear here and there, depending on the year. This small deciduous tree grows in a strange way, albeit quickly, turning yellow in autumn, and creates a rather fantastical silhouette against the winter sky that can be enjoyed from the comfort of a window inside the house. 

The Twisty Baby False Acacia, often called the Twisted Dwarf Acacia, is an American horticultural creation dating back to 1996. It is derived from the Robinia pseudoacacia, native to the eastern United States. It belongs to the legume family, which includes many plants capable of producing the nitrogen necessary for their growth at their roots, allowing them to thrive in nutrient-poor soils. 'Twisty Baby' exhibits rapid growth (over 50cm (20in) per year), entirely twisted vegetation, and small stature. At maturity, it will reach approximately 4m (13ft) in height and 3m (10ft) in width.

It is a medium-lived tree with a spreading, irregular, and airy habit. As it ages, it spreads widely and the tips of its branches droop slightly. Depending on how this tree is trained, it will develop one or more short and twisted trunks. The bark, initially smooth and brown in colour, then cracks into large, thick, and interlacing greyish crests. The branches are composed of a few, slender, twisted, and strongly spiralled branches that become brittle once woody, almost devoid of thorns. They are reddish-brown in colour. The young shoots develop in a corkscrew shape. The leaves, deciduous, pendant, 15cm (6in) long, are divided into 9 to 15 ovoid leaflets measuring 2 to 3cm (1in). They have a paper-like texture and are rolled up, with a bright green colour on the upper side and a greyish-green colour on the lower side. They turn a beautiful yellow colour in autumn. The irregular flowering occurs in May on individuals at least 5 years old. The pendulous inflorescences, 10 to 12cm (4 to 5in) long, consist of white-cream butterfly-like flowers. This highly fragrant flowering, with an orange scent, attracts pollinating insects. It is followed by the formation of rare flat pods, 4 to 6cm (2in) long, dark brown, containing a few brown bean-shaped seeds. They persist on the branches throughout winter. Note that the Twisty Baby False Acacia, unlike other varieties, does not produce suckers.

This Twisty Baby False Acacia will delight enthusiasts of unique and collectable plants.  Easy to grow in ordinary, even poor soil, it is not recommended for excessively windy locations. It is particularly magnificent when planted as a standalone specimen, showcasing its distinctive silhouette against a grey sky, especially during winter. Placed in a large container on a terrace, it will exhibit slower growth and quickly become a focal point throughout the year. It could also be incorporated into a Japanese-style garden, in a sunny location. It could be paired with a summer clematis (Clematis viticella) that will spread out as a carpet at its base and enthusiastically climb its twisted vegetation.