Image of Amorpha canescens
Source: Donna Bos
image of Flowering plant
Amorpha canescens
Leadplant
Faux-indigo blanchissant

Obsolete Names

leadplant
buisson à plomb
Seeds available at table Full Sun
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Purple Bloom period: Jul - Aug
Max Height: 3.0 feet
Max Width: 2.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolerates dry soil condition
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
Landscape uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
school garden Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
nitrogen fixer Fixes nitrogen in the soil
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
plant endangered This plant is endangered

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: No

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Amorpha canescens
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Boreal Plains
  • Prairies
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Amorpha canescens

  • Epargyreus clarus (Silver Spotted Skipper)

Specialized Bees Supported by Amorpha canescens

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Sorbaria sorbifolia (False spirea)
  • Lamium (Dead nettle)
  • Perovskia Atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
  • Lupinus (Non-Native Lupins)
  • Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed)
  • Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
  • Delphinium (Delphinium)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 10 days
  • Notes: Hull or scarify seeds.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: October
  • Harvesting indicator: Pods are slightly open and seeds inside are dark
  • Harvesting mean: Use hand to detach from main stem
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/32 teaspoon
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.