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.
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