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Indigo Bush

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Indigo Bush (Amorpha fruticosa)A relatively uncommon but tough shrub; purple flowers in early summer are interesting but not showy, fine foliage; excellent for poor soils or dry spots in the landscape; best used in masses as a hedge or screen

Characteristics

Average Landscape Height:
10 feet
Average Landscape Width:
8 feet
Growth Rate:
medium
Genus:
Amorpha
Species:
fruticosa
Flower Color:
indigo
Flower Period:
in late spring
Summer Foliage Color:
green
Fall Color:
yellow
Minimum Light:
full sun
Maximum Light:
full sun
Minimum Moisture:
dry
Maximum Moisture:
moist
Plant Form:
round
Canopy:
leggy
Pruning:
can prune at anytime
Pollution Tolerance:
high
Other Species Names:
Leadplant
Branching:
multi-stemmed
Flower Form:
pea

Ornamental Features

Indigo Bush features subtle spikes of indigo pea-like flowers with gold anthers rising above the foliage in late spring. It has green deciduous foliage. The pinnately compound leaves turn yellow in fall.

Landscape Attributes

Indigo Bush is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

Planting & Growing

Indigo Bush will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for poor, alkaline soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is native to parts of North America.

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