Leadplant has finely divided, silvery-gray foliage and upright spikes of small purple flowers. The flowers appear in summer and are often topped with orange or yellow anthers, creating a striking contrast with the silvery foliage. It naturally grows in dry prairies, open woodlands, and savannass. It is an excellent choice for a dry, sunny native garden or prairie planting. It is extremely drought tolerant once established. It prefers lean soil and develops a deep root system, which helps it survive drought. It is slow growing, particularly during its first few years. Avoid disturbing the roots once established. Because it is slow to leaf out in spring, don't assume it has died—give it time.