February 2016 Featured Plant

A resilient prairie shrub, Leadplant can live well over 100 years thanks to that heartiness and deep root systems that can extend ten to fifteen feet deep. The species grows in soils ranging from sands to clays, adding to its versatility and making it one of the most widespread prairie plants across the Midwest. The species is a legume, so it can fix nitrogen in the soil, benefitting other plant species. Its flowers are a rich pollen and nectar source for a wide range of native insects as well as honey bees.