False Indigo Bush, False Indigo

False Indigo Bush, False Indigo Amorpha fruticosa Full to part sun; moderately wet to moderately dry moisture level; adaptable to most soils including clay; strongly acid to moderately alkaline pH. 6-10 feet height by 5-15 feet spread; blooms in spring; purple to dark blue flowers; small, warty, kidney-shaped pods. Growth Rate:  Fast Maintenance:  Prune in late winter or early spring to keep plant looking somewhat neat. Propagation:  Germination code C(10).  Easy from seed.  Seed has an impenetrable coat.  Mechanically nick the seed or scarify in concentrated sulfuric acid for 5-8 minutes. Native Region:  Scattered statewide Loose, airy shrub that often forms dense thickets by suckering and re-seeding.  Can be weedy and invasive.  Attracts bees and butterflies and is larval host to some skippers and hairstreaks; special value to native bees.  Seeds eaten by northern bobwhite.  Cultivars are available but not commonly found. shrub;sun;wet;clay shrub;sun;wet;loam shrub;sun;wet;sand shrub;sun;medium;clay shrub;sun;medium;loam shrub;sun;medium;sand shrub;sun;dry;clay shrub;sun;dry;loam shrub;sun;dry;sand shrub;sun/shade;wet;clay shrub;sun/shade;wet;loam shrub;sun/shade;wet;sand shrub;sun/shade;medium;clay shrub;sun/shade;medium;loam shrub;sun/shade;medium;sand shrub;sun/shade;dry;clay shrub;sun/shade;dry;loam shrub;sun/shade;dry;sand

Photo Courtesy of John Hilty http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/ Photo Courtesy of John Hilty http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/