Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima'

$700.00

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Title: 100L

100L

Current Stock Height Guides

100L: 1.5m – 2.1m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 4m to 6m (approx.)

Mature Width: 3m to 4m

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year.

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima'

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' is a compact, thornless form of the honey locust. It carries fine, ferny pinnate leaves on a dense, upright to rounded frame, so the whole plant reads as soft green texture. Foliage emerges fresh green in spring and turns clear yellow before dropping in autumn.

Full sun brings the best colour, though it accepts part shade. It is not fussy about soil provided drainage is reasonable, and it handles frost, heat, wind, alkaline ground and urban pollution. Growth is moderate at 30 to 60 centimetres a year, and it holds a tidy shape with little intervention.

Its restrained size suits courtyards, small front gardens, raised planter beds and narrow verges where a full sized honey locust would overwhelm the space. The open canopy casts light shade, so lawn and underplanting still grow beneath it. Landscapers use it where fine deciduous texture is wanted at manageable scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Gleditsia 'Elegantissima'

What is Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima'?

It is a compact, thornless cultivar of the honey locust, grown for its fine ferny foliage and dense, neatly rounded habit. The leaflets are small and closely set, which gives the canopy a soft, almost textile quality. It is deciduous, colouring yellow in autumn, and it is one of the few honey locusts small enough for a suburban block.

How big does 'Elegantissima' grow?

'Elegantissima' is a compact selection and in most Australian gardens settles at about 4 to 6 metres tall and 3 to 4 metres wide. The parent species is a far larger tree, reaching 12 to 18 metres tall and 8 to 15 metres wide, so size figures quoted for honey locust in general do not apply to this cultivar.

Does it have thorns?

No. 'Elegantissima' is a thornless selection, unlike the wild form of the species, which carries branched spines on the trunk and limbs. That makes it safe to plant near paths, play areas and car parks where people brush past. Pruning and leaf clean up are straightforward, with no protective gear needed.

Is it evergreen or deciduous?

Deciduous. The fine leaflets appear in early to mid spring, hold soft green through summer, turn yellow in autumn and then drop. The small leaflets break down quickly and rarely need raking. Bare winter branching lets sun through to the ground beneath, which is useful on the north side of a house.

When does it flower?

Small greenish yellow flowers appear in spring, usually through October and November. They are lightly fragrant and useful to bees but visually minor, and many gardeners never notice them. Seed pods can follow on mature plants, though this compact form sets few. The tree is grown for foliage, not bloom.

Is it drought tolerant?

Once established it copes well with dry periods, and honey locusts are among the more resilient deciduous trees in hot inland conditions. Through the first two summers it needs regular deep watering to build roots. In prolonged drought a mature tree may shed leaves early, then return normally the following spring.

How do I care for Gleditsia 'Elegantissima'?

Water deeply once or twice a week through the establishment years, then taper off. Mulch the root zone each spring and add a general purpose fertiliser at the same time. Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant, removing crossing or damaged branches to keep the canopy open. It rarely needs more than that.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Avenue Planting
Feature Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes
Shade Tree
Street Tree

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' works in an:

Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' Evergreen or Deciduous?

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 4m to 6m (approx.)

Mature Width: 3m to 4m

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year.

Growth Rate of Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima'

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year.

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate
Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima'

Is Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' frost tolerant?

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' Flower?

Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Elegantissima’ produces small, greenish-yellow, lightly fragrant flowers in late spring to early summer. These slender racemes are subtle and inconspicuous, with the tree’s ornamental value coming primarily from its fine, fern-like foliage rather than its bloom.

Does Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Catkin-like

Flower Colour:

Yellow

Is Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' an Australian Native Tree?

No

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' is Native to Originally from North America, where Gleditsia triacanthos (Honey Locust) grows naturally in woodlands and river valleys.

What is the Wildlife Value of Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' ?

Its flowers attract bees and small pollinating insects, while the open, feathery canopy provides gentle shade and perching habitat for small birds. The seed pods that develop later in the season offer food for wildlife and support insects that contribute to a biodiverse garden ecosystem.

How much Sunlight does Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' need?

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Elegantissima’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. Hardy and adaptable, it can manage poorer soils but may struggle in heavy clay or waterlogged ground unless improved with organic matter and coarse material. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support strong drought resilience, stable branching and its elegant, fine-textured canopy.

Is Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' Drought Tolerant?

Is Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established ‘Elegantissima’ develops excellent drought tolerance. Naturally hardy and adaptable, it thrives in hot, dry, exposed and urban environments and maintains its airy, finely textured canopy with minimal supplementary watering.

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How To Plant Your Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima'

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima'

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year.

Medium Growth Rate
Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima'

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection for psyllids or scale in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' in Different Soil

Gleditsia triacanthos performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: What distinguishes Gleditsia triacanthos 'Elegantissima' from other Honeylocust varieties?
A: 'Elegantissima' is prized for its graceful, thornless nature and its stunning golden foliage in the fall.

Q: How tall can a mature Thornless Honeylocust 'Elegantissima' grow?
A: At maturity, it typically reaches a height of 12-18 meters, making it a majestic addition to landscapes.

Q: Is Thornless Honeylocust 'Elegantissima' suitable for urban environments?
A: Yes, it is well-suited for urban settings, thanks to its tolerance of pollution and adaptable nature.