Plant Height: 24 inches
Flower Height: 3 feet
Spread: 3 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 2b
Other Names: Wild Indigo Bush, Buffalo Bellow Plant
Group/Class: Native
Description:
Beautiful and unusual massing of tiny contrasting flowers atop ferny foliage, each comprised of a single purple petal and gold stamen, can only be appreciated at close range, attract native butterflies; roots do not like to be disturbed
Ornamental Features
Leadplant has spikes of indigo pea-like flowers with gold anthers rising above the foliage in mid summer, which are interesting on close inspection. Its small tomentose narrow pinnately compound leaves remain grayish green in color throughout the season.
Landscape Attributes
Leadplant is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cut back to the ground in late winter before active growth resumes. It is a good choice for attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Leadplant is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- Hedges/Screening
- General Garden Use
- Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
Planting & Growing
Leadplant will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 3 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for poor, alkaline soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America.
Sizes Available:
5.5" CONT $10.99
