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 partial shade. Native legume; deep purple flower spikes with orange anthers. Great pollinator support.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listlow to medium water6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wideXeric / water-wiseZones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)Deer-resistant
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 4–9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 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
- 2–3 weeks
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- riparian, shortgrass prairie
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 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 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 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–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.
- Is Leadplant / false indigo bush deer-resistant?
- Leadplant / false indigo bush is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Leadplant / false indigo bush a good firewise plant near the house?
- Leadplant / false indigo bush is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- 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.
