type : Shrubs, Deciduous
sun exposure : Full Sun
water : Moderate Water
planting zones : US (Upper South) / Zone 6, MS (Middle South) / Zone 7, LS (Lower South) / Zone 8, CS (Coastal South) / Zone 9
Plant Details
Shrubs with leaves divided featherwise into many leaflets. Spikelike, 3- to 6 inches-long clusters of blue or purple, single-petaled flowers typically bloom in early summer. In cold weather, plants may die back nearly to the ground; in warmer areas, they should be cut back severely to prevent lankiness. Tough and undemanding, withstanding heat and wind. Butterflies love the flowers.
lead plant
INDIGO BUSH
amorpha canescens
- Native to the High Plains from Canada to Texas.
- About 3 feet tall and wide, with silvery, downy foliage.
indigo bush, false indigo
amorpha fruticosa
- Native to eastern U.S. Lanky grower reaches 1015 feet tall and wide, with light green foliage.
- Needs hard pruning in winter or early spring to maintain some degree of compactness.
amorpha texana(Amorpha roemeriana)
- Native to the Texas Hill Country.
- Grows to 39 feet high and 35 feet wide, with silvery, downy leaves and spring bloom.
- This shrub is quite drought tolerant, requiring little supplemental water.