False Indigo has small, uniform leaves that measure out from the stem, airily filling out the top third of the plant. In summer, tiny purple colored flowers open from tall spires, sending bright yellow and orange stamens from individual blossoms and dusting the spikes with golden pollen. This is a thicket-forming shrub and prefers to keep its roots moist.
An adaptable plant, Amorpha fruticosa is often found at the water’s edge and tolerates dry spells as well as occasional flooding. It prefers sunny locations, but appreciates partial shade, particularly if the soil is on the dry side. Depending on the site, plants can grow up to 12 feet tall and will often spread by self seeding.