Leadplant is a showy, small shrub that grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, with an upright to rounded form. Foliage is long, compounded and needle-like, and greyish-green. New wood is densely hairy and whitish. Thin spikes of pea-like flowers occur July to September, and are violet-blue with orange eyes. Provides substance to the sunny perennial border or meadow garden. Attracts bees and butterflies. Grows about 2 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide.
Grow in full sun and well-drained soil. Does well in poor, sandy, somewhat dry soils. Leadplant is a deep-rooted perennial that nitrifies the soil. It grows in a wide range of soil conditions, but avoid wet clays and very dry, sandy soils. Moderately xeric, a deep soaking every couple of weeks is recommended for established plants. An annual late-fall pruning back to a foot tall will increase the flowers. Not adapted to low-desert heat. USDA Zones 4-8. May spread by self-seeding.