Amorpha fruticosa

(False Indigo) A lovely, deciduous plant with exciting, indigo flowers native to the Southern United States which was first introduced to England in 1724. The leaves are pinnate (feather-like) and bright green in spring / summer before showing some yellow tints in a good, crisp autumn before falling.

In midsummer, Amorpha fruticosa has slender racemes of pretty deep purple-blue, nearly black flowers with bright golden stamen. These flowers are very popular with insects and butterflies. An attractive and unusual flowering shrub, ideal for a sunny border!

• Position: Full sun or light, dappled shade.
• Soil: Any well drained, fertile soil. Amorpha fruticosa will tolerate nutritionally poor soils well.
• Hardiness: Very hardy. This plant is quite tolerant of windy conditions.
• Flowering Period: July.
• Rate of Growth: Moderate.
• Habit: Amorpha fruticosa grows to be a large branching shrub with an open, rounded habit if left unpruned.
  • Height: 3 m (10 ft)
  • Spread: 3 m (10 ft)

• Notes: Amorpha fruticosa can be pruned back hard if necessary to tidy or reduce the end size.