Mondays with Martha

This week I discuss an important prairie shrub, leadplant (Amorpha canescens). This deep-rooted nitrogen-fixer is both beautiful and beneficial to our soils, pollinators, other insects, birds, and mammals. Consider adding this summer bloomer to your sunny, well-drained landscapes and enjoy the high quality sites where this special concern species still occurs naturally!
Special thanks to Rita Seston for letting me film her lovely plants in full bloom!

[@souljahaden6184]

Just bought one today

[@kylefishmoore]

Newburgh Lake in livonia has some lead plant. Was happy to see it there.

[@jeffjohnson2958]

Hi Martha, have you tried propagating leadplant from softwood (probably late May/early June) cuttings? I would like to try that this year (WI). Cheers!!!

[@natureniche1822]

Hi, no, sorry, I have not tried propagating from cuttings. Per The Gardeners' Guide to Prairie Plants by Diboll & Cox, this species has a high cutting success rate when done during the summer. Hope that helps! As an aside, I don't know much about cuttings, because I try to buy and use native plants with as much genetic diversity as possible. Wildtype Native Plant Nursery here in Michigan has a good article on the subject: www.wildtypeplants.com/genetically-speaking