Amorpha Species, Lead Plant

Amorphacanescens

Family
Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Amorpha (a-MOR-fa)
Species
canescens (kan-ESS-kens)
Synonym
Amorpha brachycarpa
Amorpha canescens var. glabrata
Amorpha canescens var. leptostachya
Amorpha canescens var. typica
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 2a: to -45.5 °C (-50 °F)
USDA Zone 2b: to -42.7 °C (-45 °F)
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Bloom Color
Dark Blue
Medium Purple
Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Bronze
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From softwood cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Scarify seed before sowing
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Delta, Colorado

Denver, Colorado(2 reports)

Dunnellon, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Boise, Idaho

Champaign, Illinois

Machesney Park, Illinois

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Rice, Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Cole Camp, Missouri

Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin, Texas

Linden, Texas

Moab, Utah

Leesburg, Virginia

La Crosse, Wisconsin

Rice Lake, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
4
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
C
ROSLINDALE, MA | August 2016 | neutral

Native to central N. America from Ontario and Manitoba to Montana and south to LA, TX, and NM.

Unlike A. fruticosa, this ...Read More

J
Toronto, ON (Zone 6a) | August 2016 | positive

Very hardy medicinal shrub. Easy to grow.

"Medicinal Use: The Omaha Indians powdered the dried leaves and blew them int...Read More

M
La Crosse, WI | October 2010 | positive

I started my plant 3 years ago (zone 4) from bare root. It is now about 16" x 12". As a native shrub plant it is visually interesting as...Read More

F
Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) | November 2006 | neutral

Lead Plant Amorpha canescens is native to Texas and other States.

T
Mercer, PA (Zone 5a) | October 2004 | neutral

Native American Indians dried the leaves to use for tea. They drank it for enjoyment but it was also used to treat for pinworms and other...Read More

G
Denver, CO (Zone 5a) | June 2003 | positive

i have observed lead plant growing wild in the mountains of northern New Mexico.. in Denver, with little supplemental water, it has been ...Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | August 2001 | neutral

Lead plant is a Missouri native that typically occurs in open woodlands, glades and prairies. This pea/bean family member is a somewhat u...Read More

Featured
St. Andrew's Cross Spider
(Argiope keyserlingii)
Red-shouldered Hawk
(Buteo lineatus)
Featured
St. Andrew's Cross Spider
(Argiope keyserlingii)
Red-shouldered Hawk
(Buteo lineatus)