Amorpha canescens (Lead Plant)

Native to North America, Amorpha canescens (Lead Plant) is a compact, rounded deciduous shrub prized for its silvery foliage, deep roots, and exceptional toughness. Its small, aromatic, pinnately compound leaves are covered with short, dense hairs, giving the plant a soft gray-green appearance. From early to late summer, with peak bloom in mid-summer, slender spikes of tiny bluish-purple flowers with prominent golden anthers rise above the foliage. The flower spikes, up to 4 in. long (10 cm), are rich in nectar and attract bees, butterflies, moths, and other beneficial insects. Lead Plant also serves as a larval host for the Gray Hairstreak butterfly.

Lead Plant is especially well adapted to prairie conditions. Its extensive root system can penetrate more than 15 ft. (450 cm) into the soil, helping the plant withstand drought, heat, wind, and fire. In colder climates, the top growth may die back to the ground in winter, but the plant typically resprouts from the base in spring. Tough, long-lived, and undemanding once established, it is an excellent choice for sunny borders, native plantings, prairie gardens, meadows, wildflower gardens, erosion control, and exposed sites where other shrubs may struggle.

• Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 cm). May spread by self-seeding.
• Thrives in full sun in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Highly tolerant of dry soil and drought once established.
• A great candidate for beds and borders, wildflower gardens, prairies and meadows, or for erosion control on banks and slopes.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for leaf spots, rust, powdery mildew, or canker.
• Propagate from scarified seed sown in fall, or cold-moist stratified seed sown in spring.
• Native to the central North American prairies and Great Plains, from southern Canada south to Texas.
• Shrubs That Love Texas: Native Choices for Every Corner of the State