Description

Combine this airy, grey-leaved little shrub with prairie regulars such as coneflowers, rudbeckias and short native grasses – just stunning! Amorpha canescens is a small, deciduous shrub with pinnately compound leaves covered in tiny, dense hairs, giving a grey appearance to the plant. A nitrogen-fixing member of the legume family. Deep roots, sometimes reaching 15 feet into the earth, allow for drought tolerance and are good for erosion control. Spikes of tiny, dusky lavender flowers with bright orange stamens make for a stunning flower – and the bees thinks so too! Leadplant takes several years to mature. May spread by self-seeding. Plant may die back to the ground in harsh winters but will usually recover within a growing season or two. Great for naturalizing. Larval host. Attractive to wildlife. Special value to native bees. Height: 2-3 ft. Spread: 2-2.5 ft. Family: Fabaceae Bloom time: July to September Sun: full sun Water: dry to medium May need protection from deer and rabbits photo credit: Julie Makin