Species Nevada Bulrush

yellow-brown flowers with brown-green foliage

Nevada Bulrush

Amphiscirpus nevadensis

Nevada Bulrush is a tall, perennial marsh plant that is native to the western United States, specifically the deserts of Nevada and California. It grows in shallow water and forms dense stands of flowering stalks that reach up to 6 feet tall. Its flowers are small, green-brown colored and lightly scented. The seedheads turn silvery-brown when ripe, providing food for waterfowl and small mammals. It is a great choice for wildlife habitat improvement and creating biodiverse wetlands. In addition to providing seeds for wildlife, it also helps stabilize shorelines against erosion.

Watering:

Average

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Purple Flowers

Sun:

Sun, Partial Shade

Soil:

Sand, Loam

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

General watering guidelines for the Dwarf False Indigo plant recommend providing the plant with an inch of water during every watering session. This should be done once a week during the growing season. During periods of extreme heat, it may be beneficial to increase watering to twice per week. During the winter, allow the top layer of soil to dry out completely before providing additional water. If the soil still feels wet, no additional water is needed during this time.

sunlight

Dwarf False Indigo (Amorpha nana) prefers to grow in full sun to partial shade. It requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day in order for the plant to stay healthy and thrive. In areas with prolonged hot and dry summers, the plant should be given some protection from the hot afternoon sun. If planted in full sun, this will help it to flower profusely and remain bushier. If planted in partial shade, it will still flower, but won’t be as dense or as prolific. It is advised to give your Dwarf False Indigo some afternoon shade during the hottest part of the day to protect it from scorching temperatures.

pruning

Dwarf False Indigo (Amorpha nana) should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Pruning should be light, removing a few of the oldest and most woody stems at ground level. This will allow space and light into the center of the plant, encouraging air circulation and making it less susceptible to disease. If desired, a few of the stems can also be trimmed at the top to keep the shape of the plant. Pruning should be done annually or bi-annually; however, no more than 1-third of the total growth should be removed each time.

Propagation