Native Plants
to grow NOW
Striking dark purple
flowers with bright
yellow-orange anthers
Attracts pollinators and is
a butterfly larval host plant
Reportedly deer resistant
False Indigo
Amorpha fruticosa
False Indigo has attractive large flower spikes and feathery green foliage. Photo by Mary Keim
Amorpha fruticosa is a large, airy, loose shrub with fabulous
spring-summer flower stems 2-5" long. A fast growing,
deciduous perennial, it will lose its leaves in late fall
in Central and North Florida, but may be evergreen in
South Florida. It can reach 6-10 feet or more, so consider
using it as an accent, specimen or maybe a seasonal
screen or thicket where you have the space. Plant it in full
sun to part shade. A native of wetland areas, False Indigo
adapts remarkably well to drier urban landscapes once
established. You can hand prune to shape it and cultivate
the multi-branched habit. Leave the spent flowers to feed
seeds to the birds. False Indigo attracts butterflies and
pollinators, and is a host plant for the Silver Spotted Skipper
and Southern Dogface butterflies.
This plant ranges widely across the U.S. Buy from a
trusted source and ask for Florida native ecotype.
Southern Dogface butterfly, Zerene cesonia,
nectaring on native Summer Farewell,
Dalea pinnata. The caterpillar is green with
black lines and the adult butterfly has
pronounced, black edging on the upper
wings, visible only in flight. This butterfly
may be more common in natural areas.
Photo by Mary Keim
Silver Spotted Skipper, Epargyreus clarus,
one of our largest, most widespread and
recognizable skippers. The caterpillar is
bright yellow with a dark reddish brown
head. Throughout peninsular Florida.
Photo by Mary Keim
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