Amorpha canescens

RHS Plant Profile
lead plant

Other common names

leadwort, North American wild tea

Synonyms

Amorpha brachycarpa

Shrubs

A deciduous, spreading shrub to around 100cm in height, producing hairy, grey-white shoots and feathery, grey-green aromatic leaves, 6-15cm long, made up of 10-20 pairs of overlapping, oval leaflets. Tall spikes of small, dark violet-purple to purple-blue flowers with orange anthers appear from late summer through to early autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Suckering, Columnar upright, Bushy
Genus
Amorpha are deciduous shrubs with pinnate leaves and racemes of tiny, single-petalled, deep purple or blue flowers in summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, sandy, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Sow pre-soaked or scarified seed in autumn in containers in an open frame. Separate rooted suckers in autumn or winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Gravel garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Prairie planting
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 6

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to rust diseases and powdery mildews