Purple Robe Locust Tree

A fast-growing, hard-wooded, easy-care, extremely ornamental native tree? We literally can't keep this tree in stock!

Purple Robe Locust Tree (Robinia pseudoacacia 'Purple Robe') is an improvement of the native Black Locust tree.

It's become incredibly popular because of the great purple flower color and excellent fragrance. But once established, tough Purple Robe Locust trees are also super hardy and drought tolerant with a brisk growth rate of 2 or 3 feet of growth each year.

Purple Robe Locust trees develop incredible, long clusters of purple colored flowers in mid- to late spring that look very much like Wisteria flowers. These beautifully fragrant clusters cover the tree profusely and may be up to eight inches long each!

It is an impressive display, and you will definitely want to cut a few and bring them indoors to enjoy in a cut flower arrangement.

This improved variety is much less thorny than its predecessor but keep an eye out because it's common for this tree to grow a few thorns. 

It's time for you to jump on this. We ALWAYS sell out of this incredible native tree and this year will be no exception.

How to Use Purple Robe Locust in the Landscape

Our horticultural team has put together recommendations on how to best use this tree in your landscape:

1. This tree is an excellent barrier plant to protect your property beautifully.

2. You can plant this tree as an easy-care, fast-growing specimen in the lawn. Mow the grass right up to the trunk to keep the plant as a single stem.

3. They will grow just about anywhere and makes an excellent small yard tree, needing little fertilizer or much of anything else.

4. Purple Robe Black Locusts make great street trees, too, handling the tough conditions by your road with ease. Purple Robe Locust trees are very hard wooded and will tolerate storms well.

5. The beauty of this mid-sized ornamental tree is that they can grow in just about any condition as long as the soil drains quickly after a rain. Even in poor, infertile soils the plants seem to do well.

Don't wait for your chance to own this gorgeous tree, order now!

Easy Care Native Tree

Have you ever noticed a group of white-flowering trees blooming in mid-spring along pasturelands and fence lines? They are growing beautifully without any care in poor soils, with open exposure, and where little additional water would ever get to them?

This is likely a native tree called a Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and they have been widely planted into the East Coast, Midwest and into the Southern parts of the country. The native species blooms in mid-late spring and the flowers are white and fragrant.

The variety 'Purple Robe' features beautiful, fragrant purple flowers. Bees and beneficial insects love the flowers.

Each spring, the leaves emerge reddish bronze, before maturing to dark blue-green. The large compound leaves have smaller blue-green leaflets, and you'll love the fine-textured look of the tree in summer.

Fall clean up is easy with these small leaves, too!

#ProPlantTips for Purple Robe Locust Tree

As with any plant, proper site selection is key to success and to YOUR happiness. Plant Purple Robe Locust in an open, sunny space where it will get plenty of light and air circulation.

Establish it the first year with careful watering. Don't plant it too deep, as is key for any new tree. Follow the guidelines in the Plant Highlights for the best results.

Pruning Tips

Timing is important! Wait until late spring, when the flowers are done blooming, before making any cuts. You won't want to miss any of the show.

Be sure to place your order as soon as you see this gorgeous tree in stock. We have people waiting for their chance to own the Purple Robe Locust tree. Order today!