Robinia hispida (Bristly Locust)

Robinia hispida (Bristly Locust) is a vigorous, suckering deciduous shrub with bristly branches bearing compound, alternate, densely hairy leaves divided into 7-19 oval leaflets. Most leaves have a pair of long spines at their base. Dark to light pink pea-like flowers appear in showy pendulous clusters, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm), in late spring to early summer. Clustered in the leaf axils, they may be followed by bristly, purple seed pods, 3 in. long (7 cm). Native to the southeastern United States, Bristly Locust spreads abundantly by suckering, and as such, is useful as a hedge or screen and for reclaiming eroded sites. Useful in stabilizing dry, sandy areas, it needs protection from wind and is vulnerable to breakage. Its branches are susceptible to damage from heavy winter snows and ice storms.

• Grows up to 2-10 ft. tall (60-300 cm) and 5-15 ft. wide (140-450 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in moderately fertile, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Tolerates light shade and a wide range of soils, including poor dry soils. Good drought tolerance once established. Shelter from strong winds, as the branches are brittle.
• Good for sunny city gardens, coastal gardens, cottage gardens, shrub borders or wall-side borders. Can make a lovely hedge or screen.
• Keep an eye out for borers, leaf spot, powdery mildew, canker, scale and leaf miner. Deer resistant
• Prune in mid-late summer to prevent bleeding. Remove suckers in fall.
• Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Propagate by root cuttings, or propagate by grafting in winter.
• Robinia hispida is native to the southeastern United States, but is considered invasive in the state of Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington.
• This plant has low severity poison characteristics. All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.