False Indigo (Amorpha fruticosa) is a hardy native shrub known for its striking spikes of deep purple flowers with bright orange-yellow stamens. Blooming in late spring to early summer, the unusual flowers are highly attractive to bumblebees, native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
 
As a member of the legume family, it improves soil health by fixing nitrogen. The airy foliage and arching branches create a natural, shrubby form that works well in wildlife plantings and naturalized landscapes. After flowering, small seed pods develop that provide food for birds and other wildlife. False Indigo thrives in moist soils and is often found along streambanks, pond edges, and floodplains, making it well suited for rain gardens and restoration plantings.