Bring the Outdoors Home

Lead Plant | Plant Profile

Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens) are small shrubs that are native to the American great plains. Relatively large panicles of purple flowers bloom from May to June. Greyish green leaves grow on hairy twigs.

Lead Plant prefers average fertility, dry to medium moisture, well drained soils in full sun. Lead Plant are naturally meadow plants that are tolerant to sandy, dry and rocky soils.

Lead Plant are not ornamental aside from the large purple flower panicles. Because of this, they are best installed in naturalized areas, wildflower gardens, meadows or pollinator gardens.

Description

Lead Plant Characteristics

Lead Plant are meadow shrubs with large flower panicles that attract birds and pollinating insects. The bodies of these plant have little substance but can resemble ferns. Suggested use is for naturalization or wildflower gardens as the blooms are the only ornamental feature of these shrubs. The flowers, however, are long lived, lasting from July to September.

There are few serious disease or pest threats that plague Lead Plant. Leaf spot, rust, powdery mildew and canker can occur, but are usually easily treatable and not life threatening.

USDA Climate Zone
Zones 2 - 9
Height
2.00 - 3.00'
Spread
2.00 - 2.50'
Bloom Time
July - September
Water
Dry - Medium
Sun
Full Sun
Maintenance
Low
Deer Resistant?
No