Yellow False Acacia, Black Locust, Yellow Locust 'Purple Robe'

Robinia

Family
Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Robinia (roh-BIN-ee-uh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Deciduous
Smooth
Height
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
over 40 ft. (12 m)
Spacing
20-30 ft. (6-9 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
Seed is poisonous if ingested
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Medium Purple
Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Trees
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From hardwood cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Kearny, Arizona

Prescott, Arizona

Yarnell, Arizona

Acton, California

Arcata, California

Banning, California

Chowchilla, California

Felton, California

Redlands, California

San Jacinto, California

Simi Valley, California

Walnut Creek, California

Denver, Colorado

Fort Collins, Colorado

Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Thayer, Illinois

Winnetka, Illinois

Pocomoke City, Maryland

Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Buchanan, Michigan

Stephenson, Michigan

Houston, Minnesota

La Luz, New Mexico

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Hereford, Texas

Ivins, Utah

Payson, Utah

Lexington, Virginia

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

5
positives
2
neutrals
3
negatives
Sort By:
Sort By:
O
Pagosa Springs, OK (Zone 7a) | March 2022 | positive

I saw many of these trees growing in Pagosa Springs, CO in the summer of 2021 and loved them. Researched to find out what it was and ord...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | March 2014 | neutral

This is not a cultivar of Robinia pseudoacacia. It is 3/4 R. hispida.

This cultivar is a hybrid Robinia x ambigua, the pro...Read More

A
Chicago, IL | June 2013 | positive

I have two trees in different areas on my farm in SW Michigan. They are beautiful compact trees, with wonderful smelling flower clusters ...Read More

W
Magna, UT (Zone 7a) | May 2013 | positive

I have not grown this tree for myself but I want to. There are 2 of the purple blooming ones and 1 white blooming one down the street fr...Read More

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | April 2013 | positive

Sad so many negatives, but I guess in other climates this plant is a nuisance... but here in the high deserts of California where few oth...Read More

D
Saint Cloud, MN (Zone 4b) | March 2008 | negative

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is considered invasive by the Minnesota DNR
"Ecological Threat:

* Invades prima...Read More

L
Kearny, AZ | August 2007 | neutral

We first saw this plant at Superstition Springs Mall in Mesa AZ. Trees line the lanes throughout the parking areas. I saw clusters of t...Read More

C
Alamogordo, NM (Zone 7b) | July 2007 | negative

This tree is really pretty when in bloom. However the scent is strong and I am highly allergic to it. It was a bit fragile and was toppe...Read More

B
Fort Collins, CO | March 2007 | positive

Although suckering, and water spouts do frequently happen to this tree, it's absolutely a beautiful tree when flowers are in bloom. This...Read More

D
Walnut Creek, CA | October 2005 | negative

This cultivar is invasive, sending out additional underground shoots every year. These shoots grow into new trees and are resistant to p...Read More

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