About

A medium-sized deciduous shrub, herbaceous in colder areas and then making up to 1.2m annual growth. Flowers 12mm, rosy-purple, in racemes to 12cm in length from early summer. Leaves pinnate with 13-21 small leaflets.

About the genus

Indigofera can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs, herbaceous perennials or annuals with pinnate leaves and spikes or racemes of small, pea-like flowers in summer or autumn

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesSpecimen planting, large borders, parkland settings.
Native toNW Himalaya

Care notes

CultivationGrow in well-drained soil in full sun
PruningPruning group 1 or Pruning group 13 if wall trained, but can be hard pruned in spring if needed
PropagationPropagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility