False Indigo Bush

Desert Indigo Bush

Amorpha fruticosa

a-MOR-fa froo-tih-KOH-suh
4 to 10 ft.
8 to 10 ft.

very low

purple with orange centers

summer

4 to 10 ft.

8 to 10 ft.

Yes

North America

sun, part shade

USDA zones 2-8

hardy to 6,000 ft.

False indigo bush is a loosely shaped shrub with an irregular form. Its best attribute is its compound leaves.

The graceful leaflets are bright green, turning yellowish in the fall. False indigo bush produces spikes of small, tubular purple and flowers in July, but they are not very noticeable.

Seedlings and sprouts from runners may need to be removed to control the spread. Does not have much winter interest.

very low

purple with orange centers

summer

4 to 10 ft.

8 to 10 ft.

Yes

North America

sun, part shade

USDA zones 2-8

hardy to 6,000 ft.

False indigo bush is located in the low water zone at the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. Though natively occurring in sandier soil with more water than is available at the garden, these shrubs have proven to be drought tolerant.

They sometimes experience winterkill of branches, and occasionally there are infestations of aphids on the leaves and shoots. They reseed themselves. Will regrow if the branches are cut to ground level.

False indigo bush can be a good option when it is difficult to get anything to grow in a location since it is quite resilient.

False indigo bush branches often die back over the winter. These should be pruned out as needed.

It also gets aphids regularly. Seedlings and sprouts from runners may need to be removed to control the spread. It is difficult to remove, so carefully consider it before planting.