Leadplant
Amorpha canescens
Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 2–4 ft wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Nitrogen-fixing native legume; purple flower spikes in summer; deer-resistant.
Colorado nativelow water2–4 ft tall and 2–4 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Amorpha canescens
- Variety / cultivar
- (species)
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft tall and 2–4 ft wide
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- full sun
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Pollinator value
- high
- Good for
- slope, south wall
Planting & establishment
Deep root system makes mature plants very drought tolerant; deep-soak monthly first season.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Leadplant good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Leadplant is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a shrub suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Leadplant get?
- It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 2–4 ft wide.
- How much water does Leadplant need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Leadplant native to Colorado?
- Yes — it is a Colorado native.
