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 to 12 ft tall and 6 to 10 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Native legume; deep purple flower spikes with orange anthers. Great pollinator support.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listlow to medium water6 to 12 ft tall and 6 to 10 ft wideXeric / water-wise
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Norton
- Photo 2: (c) harum.koh, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by harum.koh
- Photo 3: (c) Sandy Wolkenberg, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: (c) Gavin Slater, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Gavin Slater
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4 to 9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 6 to 12 ft tall and 6 to 10 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~10 ft apart (7 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- purple
- Bloom length
- 2 to 3 weeks
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- riparian, shortgrass prairie
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelyFalse indigo, rhizomatous, suckers
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 a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Leadplant / false indigo bush?
- The main things to know: False indigo, rhizomatous, suckers
- How big does Leadplant / false indigo bush get?
- It matures to about 6 to 12 ft tall and 6 to 10 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Leadplant / false indigo bush?
- Space Leadplant / false indigo bush about 10 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 7 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Leadplant / false indigo bush hardy on the Front Range?
- Leadplant / false indigo bush is hardy in USDA 4 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Leadplant / false indigo bush need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Leadplant / false indigo bush grow?
- Leadplant / false indigo bush is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Leadplant / false indigo bush native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- How long does Leadplant / false indigo bush bloom?
- Leadplant / false indigo bush blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
