Opposites Attract: Two Stunning Shrubs that Work Wonders in the Garden

Ican’t think of two more different shrubs than leadplant (Amorpha canescens) and Indigo bush (Amorpha fruticosa), yet they are practically siblings. Like my 6-foot, 6-inch tall brother and me, we appear to be cut from different cloth yet we are related.

In Missouri, leadplant grows in dry or rocky soils, often associated with dry prairies, open woodlands, and rocky glades. It is a 3-foot tall, finicky slow-poke. It may take five years for it to grow two to three feet. Though it performs best in full sun, it can tolerate partial shade. It has the ability to grow in acidic soils (pH 4-6), as well as neutral soils (pH 6-8).

If you have acidic soil, you may also have success with goat’s rue (Tephrosia virginiana), Sampson’s snakeroot (Orbexilum pedunculatum), and fire pink (Silene virgi- nica). My favorite companion plant for leadplant is prairie groundsel (Packera plattensis), a low-growing evergreen groundcover (5-7 inches), that fills in around the stems of this tiny, open-growing shrub. When the groundsel is fully mature, it makes the perfect green (living) mulch. But be sure to not smother it in winter with fallen tree leaves. Yes, I like keeping fallen tree leaves in the garden where they lie, but here is the exception to the rule. Like all groundsels, this evergreen will thin out or disappear if covered with leaves in the winter. Remember, it’s an evergreen plant.

On the other hand, indigo bush grows in wetlands and along creeks and rivers. It is an 8-foot (tall and

SCOTT WOODBURY Horticulturist

wide) carefree rocket ship, traveling at the speed of sound. When it sees leadplant in the Garden, it says “See you later, alligator”!

In Missouri gardens, indigo bush matures quickly in any soil type, even clay. It prefers full sun, but will grow in partial shade. It is more upright and leggy in shady places (allowing other plants to grow beneath it), and fuller and broader in full sun (shading out most other plants). In the Pacific Northwest, it has become invasive in wet areas. Today’s lesson, my friends, grow plants that are native in your region; invasive species are no joke.

Now the best part: Both of these shrubs have the most stunning flowers. Lead plant has purplish lavender flower spikes with gold pollen. The flowers contrast nicely with the plant’s fine-textured, gray foliage, and it blooms with butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) ‚the orange and purple flowers create a spicy combination!

Indigo bush has similar, but dusky plum, flower spikes that also have gold pollen. The flowers are like tiny jewels. I like planting these close to a patio, walkway, or windows, because the flowers are so dark and are overlooked (by humans!) in the landscape. The bees won’t mind though; both species are massive pollinator magnets.

I hope you come to enjoy these two tried-and-true winners as much as I do. Both plants have staying power and will turn heads in your neighborhood. Happy gardening, y’all!

Scott Woodbury was the horticulturist at Shaw Nature Reserve for 30 years and stepped down from that position in June 2022. He continues to work on contract for Shaw Nature Reserve to carry out native landscaping education and has launched his own business called Cacalia: Native Garden Design and Wilding. Find suppliers of native plants, seeds, and services at the Grow Native! Resource Guide: www.moprairie.org.

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