Purple Robe Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia 'Purple
Robe')
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Purple Robe Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia 'Purple Robe') is a medium-sized upright tree, growing 40 feet in height with a compact, rounded form. The trunk is long and straight with an interesting branching pattern. Hardy to zone 3, this locust prefers full sun, is tolerant of most soils and fixes nitrogen. It is not a tree for stressful planting situations in dry climates. Provide adequate water during establishment and moderate watering thereafter. Borers can be problematic following stress. Should be pruned in late summer to avoid "bleeding." | |
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Foliage consists of alternate, pinnately compound leaves. These leaves are 6 to 14 inches long and have 7 to 9 elliptic-shaped leaflets. Color is a dark, dull blue-green. New growth is spiny and a purplish-red and retains some undertones of this color into summer. Fall color is an unimpressive yellowish-green. | |
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Flowers are showy, pea-like and occur in pendulous clusters 4 to 8 inches long. They are pink, very fragrant and bloom in late May to early June for about a week. | |
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Fruit consists of a flat, 2 to 4 inch brown pod that matures in October and persists into winter. | |
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Bark is gray with rope-like ridges and interlacing furrows. Branches have spines that are paired, 2 at each leaf. |
Photos: Judy Sedbrook
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