False Indigo Bush

False indigo bush (Amorpha fruticosa)

False indigo bush is a small shrub in the legume family. It likes wet sites and can be found across much of the US and Mexico. As a legume it can fix nitrogen in the soil. Its flowers are small but of great use to many native pollinators. The foliage is a choice browse for many herbivores. A valuable native plant in its own right we love to use this species as a support plant when establishing trees. The combination of nitrogen fixation, dappled shade it provides, and shrubby height make it an excellent companion for young trees. Our seeds were collected from a wild patch in Durham NC. They seem to grow abundantly from seed but can also be grown from cuttings. In full sun they prefer consistently moist but well drained soils. They can also grow in part shade where they will be less thirsty.