Purple Robe Black Locust

Purple Robe Black Locust

15 Gallon
$169.00
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Purple Robe Black Locust
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Purple Robe Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia 'Purple Robe'

Wisteria-Like Purple Flower Show • Extremely Fast & Drought-Tough • Narrow Upright Screen

$169.00
Size

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Purple Robe Black Locust is a fast-growing, tough-as-nails tree known for its stunning floral display. In late spring, it dazzles with long, hanging clusters of fragrant, deep violet-pink pea-like flowers that resemble wisteria. Its narrow, upright form, incredible drought tolerance, and ability to thrive in poor soil make it a bold choice for quick screening or a dramatic, water-wise focal point.

  • Produces one of the most spectacular floral shows among hardy trees, with long, fragrant chains of deep purple-pink flowers in late spring that attract bees.

  • Grows extremely rapidly, forming a narrow, upright, almost columnar canopy that is excellent for creating a quick visual screen or vertical accent.

  • Possesses legendary toughness, thriving in hot, dry, windy, and poor soil conditions with minimal water once established. It is highly resistant to pests and deer.

  • Features attractive, fern-like compound foliage and interesting, reddish-brown seed pods that persist into winter.

  • Note: Has a shallow, aggressive root system and can sucker. Plant away from foundations, lawns, and pavement. Its thorny branches also require careful handling.

Knowing how we measure the size?

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

  • A larger gallon size generally means:

    • A more established root system

    • A sturdier plant

    • Faster visual impact after planting

  • Example:

    • 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity

    • 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.


🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

  • Commonly used for:

    • Ornamental trees

    • Feature plants

    • Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.

  • Why choose Multi:

    • Fuller, more sculptural appearance

    • Strong visual presence even at younger ages

    • Popular for design-focused landscapes


🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

  • Commonly used for:

    • Shade trees

    • Street trees

    • Orchard and structural plantings

  • Why choose Stand:

    • Clean, classic tree form

    • Easier clearance for walkways and lawns

    • Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity


🌿 Choosing the Right Size

  • If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form

  • If you want long-term structure → Stand form

  • If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Quick facts
  • Features:Pinnate leaves with ovate, papery green leaflets. Clusters of small, sweet-pea-shaped pink-purple flowers bloom at branch tips, followed by long brown seed pods with reddish streaks.
  • Mature Height: 30–40 ft
  • Mature Width: 20–30 ft
  • Growth Rate: Fast
  • Light Needs: Full sun to part shade
  • Key Advantages:Narrow, columnar form (ideal for tight spaces),Drought and heat tolerant,Disease and pest resistant,Deer resistant
  • Soil Preference: Adaptable to most well-drained soils
  • Landscape Uses:Urban street trees,Narrow garden spaces,Xeriscape plantings,Privacy screens
FAQs

Q: Is it invasive or weedy?
A: It can be aggressive due to its root suckering habit, especially in moist, fertile soils. In the dry conditions of a typical Bay Area water-wise garden, this is less pronounced but still a consideration. It is not officially listed as invasive in California but should be sited with care.

Q: Are the thorns a problem?
A: The branches have sharp thorns, making pruning a task requiring gloves and care. It is not ideal for planting near high-traffic play areas or walkways where people might brush against it.

Browse online or get recommendations

Shop by collection, or message us with photos and measurements of your space for tailored suggestions.

Place your order & schedule delivery

Choose your trees and preferred delivery window. Most Bay Area orders are delivered within about 10 business days, depending on routing and weather.

We deliver carefully to your property

Our drivers are trained to handle living plants, not just boxes. For many trees, we can set them in place near the planting site.

Grow with our ongoing support

You’ll receive basic care guidelines, and you can always reach out if you’re unsure about watering, fertilizing, or pruning.

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Garden Services
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Prefer to talk through your space? Our team can help you plan and source everything.

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Garden services to match your plants

Prefer not to do the heavy lifting? Our field team can help with key projects across the Bay Area.

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Expert planting for healthy, long-lasting plant growth

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Bay Area crane rental with certified operators—planned picks, safe lifts, and precise placement for heavy or hard-to-access installs.

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Lightweight garden design, no hardscape.

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Two gardeners on site to prune, shape, and tidy your existing trees and shrubs. Perfect for overgrown hedges, view windows, and seasonal refreshes.

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