Grows like an herbaceous perennial but takes on shrublike characteristics as it matures. Tight spikes of iridescent purple and orange flowers appear from May-June. Silver-green compound foliage is quite handsome.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Lead Plant
Amorpha canescens
Plant Type: Shrubs
Native Environment: Prairie, Savanna / Woodland
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost)
Main Color: Green, Purple
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Photo: Bruce Schuette

Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade

Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate

Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects

Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Butterfly / Moth Nectar, Food/Pollinators

Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
2 to
3
feet
Spread:
2 to
3
feet
Size
Height: 2 to
3
feet
Spread: 2 to
3
feet
Size
Height: 2 to
3
feet
Spread: 2 to
3
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Use in the border or mix with grasses and other wildflowers in a prairie. Good for erosion control due to deep, branching woody root system.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grows in a variety of soils, but prefers dry, sandy sites. Plants have deep roots and may take two or three years to mature.
Special Features
Special Usage
Salt Tolerant
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.