Leadplant / false indigo bush
Amorpha fruticosa
Leadplant / false indigo bush (Amorpha fruticosa) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to part. Native legume; deep purple flower spikes with orange anthers. Great pollinator support.
Colorado nativelow to medium water6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Amorpha fruticosa
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- full sun to part
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- purple
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Pollinator value
- high
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer; minimal after. Nitrogen-fixing — improves soil.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Leadplant / false indigo bush good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Leadplant / false indigo bush is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a shrub suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Leadplant / false indigo bush get?
- It matures to about 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide.
- How much water does Leadplant / false indigo bush need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Leadplant / false indigo bush native to Colorado?
- Yes — it is a Colorado native.
