Robinia neomexicana

Sunset

Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia'

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Zones 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 7-11, 14, 18-24

Full

Minimal

Bark, leaves, and seeds are poisonous if ingested.

Desert Locust
Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Deciduous, Shrubs, Trees

ROBINIA

Fairly fast growing plants, well adapted to hot, dry regions. Leaves are divided like feathers into many roundish leaflets. Clusters of white or pink, sweet pea-shaped flowers bloom from midspring to early summer, followed by bean-like pods about 4 in. long.

Locust trees tolerate poor soil and can get by on little or no water, but they do have some drawbacks: their wood is brittle, roots are aggressive, and plants often spread by suckers.

Robinia neomexicana

Native from California's mountains to Arizona and New Mexico, this thorny plant usually grows about 6 ft. high and wide, but can become a 30-ft. tree. It produces drooping, 6-in. clusters of inch-wide pink flowers.