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    • Photo of Amorpha canescens flower by Prairie Nursery

    Photo by Prairie Nursery

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Amorpha canescens

    Also Known As

    • Leadplant

    Plant type

    shrub

    size

    • H: 12"-48"
    • W: 24"-30"

    planting zones

    • 2a-9b

    More Options

    Amorpha canescens plant details

    Amorpha canescens is a broadleaf deciduous shrub with blue and green foliage. In fall and summer purple flowers emerge. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, gritty, lean, rich, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Amorpha canescens

    Plant type: shrub
    Plant family: fabaceae
    Foliage: deciduous blue and green
    Mature size: 24 IN - 30 IN - wide, 12 IN - 48 IN - tall
    Flowers: purple blooms in fall and summer
    Uses: border plant, cottage garden, native plant, rock garden

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Amorpha canescens

    USDA Zones: 2a - 9b
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: even moisture - low
    Resistant to: deer, heat and humidity
    Soil needs: average, clay, gritty, lean, rich, rocky and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) exhibits a unique display of both foliage and flowers. Spikes of iridescent purple flowers appear atop the delicate silver-gray foliage in the heat of mid-summer. Extremely long-lived, this is one of the few true shrubs of the prairie. Leadplant's deep taproot makes it extremely drought tolerant. Thrives in any well-drained soil. Hardy to Zones 3 - 8.

    By: Prairie Nursery

    A 2-4', attractively downy shrub with finely compound leaves and spikes of blue flowers with yellow stamens during late summer. Sun/Med-Dry/GdDrain

    By: Forestfarm

    Usually densely white-hairy leaflets; terminal flower spikes to 6" long. A small shrub belonging to the Bean Family! The foliage is fine & fernlike, turning beautiful yellow in fall. More drought tolerant than most shrubs. Prune hard in early spring.

    By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

    Gardening facts about Amorpha canescens plant

    How to Grow Amorpha canescens

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - drought tolerant

    • Soil Needs

      • clay
      • adaptable
      • average
      • lean
      • well-drained
      • rich
      • rocky
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green
      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • purple

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • butterflies
      • deer resistant

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • fall

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    See other plant types of Amorpha for your garden

    Amorpha nana

    aka Amorpha 'Nana', False Indigo

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Perennial

    Zones

    3a-9b

    Size

    Height: 12"-36"

    Width: 12"-36"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Amorpha nana flower by Panayoti Kelaidis
    View Plant

    Amorpha fruticosa

    aka Bastard Indigo, Desert Leadwort, False Indigo

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    5a-10a

    Size

    Height: 8'-12'

    Width: 6'-10'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Amorpha fruticosa foliage, fruit by Dalgial
    View Plant

    More Options

    Amorpha roemeriana

    aka Texas Indigo Bush

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    8a-11

    Size

    Height: 3'-10'

    Width: 3'-8'

    • sun - dappled shade
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Amorpha roemeriana flower by Far South Wholesale Nursery
    View Plant

    More Options

    +2 more Amorpha
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