Amorpha canescens is a superb native plant that hails from Canada south to New Mexico, where it grows in dry rocky soils. Despite this rugged heritage, Amorpha canescens has been superb in our hot, humid garden where it forms a 3′ tall x 3′ wide deciduous shrub. The branches are adorned with small, 3″ long, mimosa-like leaves that emerge grey and age to green. Starting in late May (NC), the clumps are adorned with terminal clusters of bottlebrush-like flowers of purple with orange tips. Unlike many plants from desert climates, we haven’t seen any ill effects from regular irrigation as long as the soil is well-drained. We can’t imagine having a drought-tolerant garden without Amorpha canescens.
