PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in sunny locations and tolerates drought once established
Watering
Water deeply when the top 5–7 cm of soil is dry; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
Temperature
Extremely cold-hardy; tolerates hot, dry summers and subzero winter temperatures
Characteristics
- Leaf: Compound pinnate leaves with 10–25 oval, gray-green leaflets covered in fine hairs
- Flower: Dense terminal spikes of small purple flowers with prominent yellow stamens; lacks true petals
- Stem: Woody, branching stems forming a bushy, rounded habit
Care Guide
Watering
Water regularly during the first 2 years after planting; reduce watering once mature
Fertilization
Light application of balanced fertilizer at bud break. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers to promote abundant flowering
Eggshell powder topdress：Crush dried, clean eggshells into fine powder; sprinkle lightly around the base of the shrub and water in to release calcium slowlyPruning
- Prune immediately after flowering to shape the shrub and remove spent flower spikes
- Thin overcrowded branches to improve airflow and reduce disease risk
- Cut back up to one-third of old stems every 2–3 years to encourage new, vigorous growth
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA confirmed non-toxic to cats
Humans: No known toxicity to humans
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Pollinator-friendly shrub for wildlife gardens; used for erosion control on slopes
