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16245 S US Hwy 71
Belton, MO 64012
Tel: (816) 331-9738
Fax: (816) 331-9739

Amorpha canescens

Lead Plant

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Amorpha canescens (Lead Plant)

A small shrubby prairie plant with tight spikes of iridescent purple and orange flowers appear from May to August. Lead Plant is naturally found in dry to mesic prairies and in open, upland savannas through most of the tallgrass region. Silver-green foliage is quite handsome. Leadplant is in the legume family so it fixes nitrogen in the soil. Because of its long, stringy roots, it is sometimes called Prairie Shoestring.

Additional Information:


Height
12-36 Inches

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Spread
12-36 Inches

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Bloom/Seasonal Color
Purple


USDA Hardiness Zone 2-8

Home Owner Growing and Maintenance Tips:
Grow in full sun.

Good Companions
Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Missouri Primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida), Ox-eye Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)

Characteristics & Attributes

Hydrologic Designation

UPL

Nature Attracting

Beneficial Insects
Butterfly

Root

Taproot

Season of Interest

Late (July-frost)
Mid (May-June)

Soil Moisture

Average
Moderate

Sun Exposure

Full Sun
Medium Sun/Average Shade

USFS MO Ecological Map

Wildlife Benefit

Butterfly Nectar