Shrub Indigo
Amorpha fruticosa
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Shrub Indigo - #3 Container 2-3 Feet is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150+ | $24.99 |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Shrub Indigo highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Flower Color
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Fall Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pollinator Required
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Fragrant
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Growing Zones 4 - 9
The pretty flowering native Shrub Indigo (Amorpha fruticosa) is a pretty Pea-family plant that features upright pollinator-friendly spires of purple florets! Rivaling Butterfly Bushes with their nectar-rich blooms, these plants are backed by airy branches full of oval leaflets held in fuzzy compound leaf arrangements in soft gray-green all growing season long.
Similar to Baptisia, Shrub Indigo goes by similar names, including Desert False Indigo, and False Indigo Bush. Hardy perennial shrubs, these plants can bloom in April through June, producing spires of dark purple flowers that butterflies and other beneficial insects adore! The orange stamen are not only showy but pollen-rich for native bees to enjoy as well!
Growing throughout USDA planting zones 4 to 9, these highly adaptable plants appreciate moisture and sun or part shade locations. Cold-hardy, fall brings yellow-gold hues to your shrub before they die back for the winter like an herbaceous Perennial.
Planting and Application:
Shrub Indigo carries an interesting, fine texture throughout the growing season before and the fall color and ornamental seed heads are also showy for winter! Plant in a mixed shrub or mixed perennial border, including Pollinator gardens or naturalized wildflower plantings!
These natives have a broad range of variances in mature size depending on the growing zone, climate, and where it's planted. Ranging in size between 3-12 feet in height and 6-12 feet in width. Plan ahead for this variance by giving these plants plenty of room to reach their full potential size.
These pretty natives can be found mostly growing in wetter areas but very adaptable large-scale shrubs that bloom well in the Cottage garden, Perennial borders, Rain gardens, and more!
- Upright Purple Spires
- Soft Gray-Green Compound Leaves
- Pollinator Friendly
- Fall Color & Ornamental Seed Pods
- Back of the Border, Specimens, Naturalized Settings & Rain Gardens
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Rarely damaged by deer, these hardy plants have few pest or disease issues. Tolerant of most soils including some that may flood occasionally, Shrub Indigo does best in full sun and well-drained conditions. A 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch to support the root system for the life of the shrub! Prune early spring before it starts growing to shape if needed or trim larger specimens into tree forms if desired.
- Full Sun Plants
- High to Average Moisture Needs
- Any Well-Drained Soil
- Prune In Early Spring
- Deer Seldom Bother These Shrubs
Order the lovely False Shrub Indigo bushes from Nature Hills to support pollinators and native ecosystems in your area without fussing over a prima donna!
