Amorpha canescens

Common Name
Leadplant

Family
Fabaceae (Pea)

Tree or plant type / form
Deciduous shrub

Landscape Use
Good plant for naturalizing in a native or wildflower garden, prairie, or meadow. 

Season of interest and/or other ornamental feature(s)
Beautiful flowers in early summer, foliage texture and grayish green color provides interest from spring through fall

Size at Landscape Maturity
Height: 3 to 4 feet, Spread: 2 to 3 feet in 5 years

Light exposure
Full sun

USDA Hardiness zones
2 – 9

Origin / Native locale
Great Plains and Central Canada

Wildlife Value (incl. pollinators)
Attracts birds and butterflies. A valuable plant for native bees. Deer and other mammals eat the fruit.

Soil Type & Drainage
Prefers dry, well-drained soil

Tolerances
Drought, dry or infertile soil

Leaf Description
Alternate, pinnately compound leaves with grayish green leaflets and densely hairy twigs

Bloom Time in Northeast Ohio
Late June to early July

Flower Description
Slender, dense, 4-8″ spike-like clusters of tiny, bluish-purple flowers with gold anthers 

Cone / Fruit
The fruits are small pods that contain one seed, which is smooth and brown.

Available at
Secrest Arboretum Plant Discovery Days and selected local nurseries; mail order

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Use the Secrest Aboretum Explorer to find locations where this plant is located on the Wooster campus.

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