Lead Plant is a classic prairie perennial that forms a small rounded shrub about three foot high, covered in silvery-green foliage. It blooms from June to August featuring dramatic spikes of purple flowers accented with bright orange anthers. It prefers dry to mesic soils in prairie conditions and can often be seen growing among Culver’s Root, Wild Quinine, and Big Bluesem. Its long tap root has been measured diving ten feet below-ground making it resistant to fire, however, it is beloved by herbivores and establishes slowly.