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Fragrant false indigo

Amorpha nana

Last reviewed: August 2026

Fragrant false indigo (Amorpha nana)
Photo: (c) Jared Shorma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jared Shorma

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–24" H × 24"–36" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

CO, IA, ID, KS and 6 more states

Pollinators

bumble bees, native bees

Before you buy

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A low, mounding deciduous shrub with fine compound leaves, native to open prairie sites. Short spikes of purple flowers with prominent orange anthers rise just above the foliage in late spring.

Wildlife value

The flower spikes are heavily visited by bumble bees and other native bees for both pollen and nectar.

Common questions

How much sun does Fragrant false indigo need?
Fragrant false indigo grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Fragrant false indigo bloom?
Fragrant false indigo blooms in May and June.
Where is Fragrant false indigo native?
Fragrant false indigo (Amorpha nana) is native to CO, IA, ID, KS and 6 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Fragrant false indigo attract?
Fragrant false indigo draws bumble bees and native bees.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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