🌱 Amorpha canescens (Leadplant)

Site Selection

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  Sun: Full sun is best (at least 6–8 hours daily).
  
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  Location: Prairies, meadows, dry open fields, or native gardens. Works well in pollinator habitats.
  
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  Soil: Well-drained sandy, loamy, or gravelly soils. Tolerates poor soils and drought once established. Avoid heavy clay that stays wet.
  

Soil Preparation

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  Clear weeds or sod before sowing.
  
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  Loosen soil to 2–3 inches deep.
  
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  Amend compacted soil with sand or organic matter for drainage.
  
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  Avoid high-fertility soils; leadplant thrives in lean, dry conditions.
  

Seed Preparation

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  Scarification: Yes. Seeds have a hard coat; lightly nick with a file or sandpaper, or pour hot (not boiling) water over seeds and soak overnight.
  
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  Stratification: Beneficial but not always required. Cold, moist stratification for 30–60 days improves germination. Best done naturally by fall sowing.
  

Direct Sowing Outdoors

Fall Sowing (Recommended)

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  Timing: Late fall, after soil has cooled (Oct–Dec depending on region).
  
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  Reason: Natural winter cold provides stratification.
  
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  Depth: Sow ¼ inch deep.
  
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  Spacing: Scatter or plant in groups, thin seedlings to 18–24 inches apart.
  
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  Watering: Water once after sowing, then allow natural winter/spring moisture.
  

Spring Sowing

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  Timing: Early spring (March–May).
  
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  Preparation: Seeds require cold stratification (store in moist sand/peat in refrigerator for 30–60 days before sowing).
  
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  Depth: ¼ inch deep.
  
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  Watering: Keep evenly moist until seedlings are 2–3 inches tall.
  

Starting Indoors (for Spring Transplanting)

1. 
   Timing: Begin stratification in late winter (Jan–Feb). After 30–60 days cold stratification, start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost.
   
2. 
   Containers: Use seed trays or pots with well-drained soil mix.
   
3. 
   Planting Depth: Sow ¼ inch deep.
   
4. 
   Light: Place under grow lights or in a bright window; needs 14–16 hours of light daily.
   
5. 
   Watering: Keep soil moist but not soggy.
   
6. 
   Transplanting: Move outdoors after danger of frost when seedlings are 3–4 inches tall. Space 18–24 inches apart. Harden off by gradually exposing seedlings to outdoor conditions for 7–10 days before planting.
   

Maintenance & Care

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  Watering: Water weekly during first growing season. Drought-tolerant after established.
  
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  Weeding: Keep area weed-free until plants are well rooted.
  
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  Pruning: In late winter/early spring, cut back old stems to encourage new growth.
  
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  Fertilizer: Not needed; plant thrives in low-nutrient soils.
  
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  Wildlife Value: Excellent for pollinators—especially native bees and butterflies. Fixes nitrogen, improving soil health.
  

Invasiveness

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  Not invasive. Leadplant is a slow-growing, long-lived perennial shrub. It spreads modestly by seed but does not aggressively colonize.
  

✅ Summary: Sow scarified and stratified seeds ¼ inch deep in full sun, well-drained soil. Fall sowing is easiest (natural stratification). Spring sowing requires pre-chilled seeds. Indoors, stratify then sow under lights, harden off, and transplant in spring. Once established, Leadplant is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and pollinator-friendly.