Description
Amorpha
There are about 15 species of deciduous shrubs from North America, in this genus. They grow 3-12’ feet tall and are found in dry often, sandy areas such as prairies scrub and hills and sometimes in woodland and on riverbanks. Grown for their aromatic leaves which are alternate and are pinnate consisting of 7-45 leaflets and for their dense erect one sided racemes of usually mauve purple or white flowers which have only a single petal and are followed by seed pods remain until leaves drop. The name amorphous (deformed) refers to the single petaled flowers. Prized for their ability to thrive in very poor soils particularly where temperature fall to –22 degree Fahrenheit or below.
For best results grow in light sandy well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.
Prone to powdery mildew, rust and a few fungal leaf spots.
Amorpha canescens – Lead plant – This Native to Central North America grows 3’ feet tall and 5’ feet wide. It is a rounded shrub producing hairy gray-white shoots and pinnate leaves 2 ½-6” long with 10-20 pairs of overlapping egg shape to oblong to elliptic leaflets. In late summer and early autumn it bears small pea like dark violet flowers ¼” long with orange anthers.
Zones 2-8
