Soil: Prefers well-drained sandy, loamy, or rocky soils; tolerates poor and dry soils
Height: 1.5 - 2 feet
Bloom Time: Summer
Lifespan: Perennial
Growth Habit: Small, clumping shrub
Root Type: Taproot
Host Plant: Dogface Butterfly, Underwing moths
Additional Information: Leadplant is a hardy native shrub with distinctive silvery-gray foliage and upright spikes of purple flowers accented with bright orange anthers. This deep-rooted plant thrives in dry prairie conditions and is an important component of native grasslands. It supports pollinators like bees and butterflies while improving soil health by fixing nitrogen. Despite its shrub-like structure, Leadplant dies back to the ground in winter and regrows in spring, making it well-suited for naturalized landscapes, prairie plantings, and drought-tolerant gardens. Its resilience, long lifespan, and ecological benefits make it a valuable addition to native landscapes.
