Photo: NPS Photo, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Leadplant
Amorpha canescens
Also called lead plant, prairie shoestring.
A prairie sub-shrub with silver leaves and purple summer spikes, rooted deep against drought.
Showy flowersWildlife valueDrought tolerantNitrogen fixingRare
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature height
- 1–3 ft
- USDA zones
- 2–8
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Sun
- Full
- Soil moisture
- Dry
210
Leadplant is a defining plant of tallgrass prairie, slow to establish but nearly immortal once its taproot is down. Silvery gray foliage, purple flowers in July for bees and butterflies, and total drought tolerance make it ideal for dry sunny beds, rock gardens and prairie restorations. Needs full sun and drainage.
Heights and zones are typical ranges for the species in cultivation; local conditions and seed source shift them. Estimate growth for this species →
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