Purple Robe Locust

About the Purple Robe Locust Tree

The Purple Robe Locust, robinia pseudoacacia, is a stunning ornamental that is known for developing, in the spring, swathes of gorgeous pink-purple flowers that resemble wisteria. It is also a great shade tree. A cultivar of the native black locust, it is also known as the Purple Robe Black Locust.

Its spectacular display of dangling, wisteria-like blooms that are up to eight inches long and fragrant make this a favorite ornamental tree!

This graceful tree provides year-round visual interest. In the spring, clip the blossoms to make lovely bouquets. The emerging leaves are metallic red. Then they mature to a beautiful blue-green in the summer. In the fall, they turn yellow. And finally, the seed pods stay on the branches through the winter.

Purple Robe Locusts are excellent street trees and provide refreshing shade for decks or patios. They are fast growing, gaining two to three feet per year, and reach a medium tree height of thirty to forty feet. They can live for over a hundred years.

Additional Uses of the Purple Robe Locust

Beekeepers take note! The honey that is made from black locust trees, known as acacia honey, is highly prized.

Black locust trees are hardwoods, and their wood is valued for making fenceposts. They are also good for producing firewood, because the density of the wood allows it to burn for a long time.

Growing the Purple Robe Locust Tree

Once well established, the Purple Robe Locust tree has good drought tolerance and is easy to grow. It can become invasive, and unwanted root suckers should be cut early. It is susceptible to the locust borer and other insect pests.

While preferring full sun, the tree can grow in partial shade. See below for the USDA hardiness zones. Young trees should be pruned in the fall or winter to strengthen the structure of the tree and to develop its desired shape.

Buy Purple Robe Locust trees to enjoy their stunning beauty in your landscape each spring.