How to Grow Lead Plants from Seed

 

The scientifically name of lead plants is Amorpha canescens and the plant is a perennial prairie wildflower that is commonly found throughout the middle two-thirds of the United States and Canada. The lead plant is also known by various monikers such as downy indigo bush, buffalo bellows and prairie shoestrings. Actually the lead plant is named for its dusty, silvery-gray leaves. Continue reading to learn more about growing lead plants from seed.

Information about Lead Plant

Actually the lead plant is a sprawling semi-erect plant. The foliage consists of a long, narrow leaves that are sometimes densely covered with fine hairs. Spiky, purple blooms normally appear from early to midsummer. The lead plant is extremely cold hardy and they can tolerate temperatures as cold as thirteen degree Fahrenheit. The spiky blooms actually attract a lot of pollinators, including some types of bees. The Lead plant is flavorful and is protein rich that is why it’s frequently grazed by livestock, as well as rabbits and deer. If these unwanted visitors become a problem, a wire cage can easily serve as protection until the Lead plant matures and becomes somewhat woody.

Propagating Lead Plant

The lead plants actually thrive in full sunlight. However it tolerates light shade and the blooms tend to be less impressive and the plant may be somewhat gangly. The lead plant is not picky and they actually perform well in nearly any well-drained soil, including a poor, dry soil. The plant can become invasive if the soil is too rich. The lead plant ground cover, although they can be ornamental and provides effective erosion control. Growing the lead plants requires stratification of seeds, and there are different methods of accomplishing this. One of the easiest ways is to simply plant the seeds in autumn and then allow them to stratify naturally over the winter months. If you prefer to plant the seeds in spring you can soak the seeds in warm water for about twelve hours, and then store them in temperatures of forty-one degree Fahrenheit for about thirty days. Plant the seeds about ¼ inches deep in a prepared soil. For a full stand, plant twenty to thirty seeds per square foot. The germination will occur in 2 to 3 weeks.