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Dwarf Indigo Bush Amorpha herbacea

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Amorpha cyanostachya
  • Amorpha floridana
  • Amorpha herbacea var. floridana
Phonetic Spelling
ah-MOR-fah her-bah-SEE-uh
Description

Dwarf indigo bush is a North Carolina native deciduous shrub in the pea (Fabaceae) family. It can be found growing in pine flatwoods and sandy river terraces.

While the flowers only have a short bloom time, this plant could be used as a backdrop for smaller plants, creating an interesting texture.

 

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#deciduous#white flowers#shrub#purple flowers#spring flowers#summer flowers#spring interest#larval host plant#food source summer#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#deciduous#white flowers#shrub#purple flowers#spring flowers#summer flowers#spring interest#larval host plant#food source summer#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Amorpha
    Species:
    herbacea
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Leaf Cutting
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeast United States
    Distribution:
    AL , FL , GA , NC , SC
    Wildlife Value:
    Host plant for the silver-spotted skipper and southern dogface butterflies. Attracts native bees.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Edibility:
    Not edible
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Horizontal
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Legume
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Flattened pod .5" long. Displays from July to August.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    May-July flower spikes 6-8 inches long white to lavender petals
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    The veined leaves are alternate with 25-33 opposite leaflets hairless.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Near Septic
    Patio
    Pond
    Riparian
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds