woodland shrub
Bristly locust
Robinia hispida
Native to Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia
Mountains from Virginia to Kentucky, south to Georgia and Alabama; introduced elsewhere
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moisture preference
- Zones 3–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 10 ft to 3.0 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland shrub for full sun. Its red and pink flowers peak in May. At up to 10 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Bristly locust's red and pink flowers bloom April to July, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws butterflies and bees.
Bristly locust blooms red & pinkFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies Hobomok Skipper
- Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Silver-spotted skippercaterpillar host
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West VirginiaUnited States (8): AL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Mountains from Virginia to Kentucky, south to Georgia and Alabama; introduced elsewhereThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9 · Canadian 3–8The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Sandy or thin soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Neutral to alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- Low (tolerates poor soil)How rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 10 ft (to 3.0 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~7 ft (2 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- RapidA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Red, PinkThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Jun–NovThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.