Indigofera ‘Claret Cascade’
Words: Graham Rice
Indigoferas are deciduous shrubby or semi-shrubby members of the pea family, mostly from warmer climates than ours, with around seven hundred species in all. Although not well known, they are noted for combining their manageable size with being unusually prolific over a long season in summer and autumn.
‘Claret Cascade’ was one of the stars of the Wisley trial of these plants. Reaching a height of 2m (6.5ft) and spreading a little wider to 2.2m (7.25ft) after two years. The slightly hairy green leaves set of the purple-pink flowers prettily.
The pendulous racemes, produced from a succession of leaf joints and so guaranteeing a long display, are reminiscent of a Wisteria and are distinctive in being held horizontally at first then slowly drooping until they hang vertically. They are produced in such profusion, each lined with pea-like flowers, that they weigh down the branches.
Once sold under the informal name of 'Dark Pendula' or 'pendula dark form', ‘Claret Cascade’ is a hybrid of I. howellii, from Korea, and I. pendula, from China and the hybrid combines the features of both, but with far more flowers.
Happiest in full sun and in well drained soil, ‘Claret Cascade’ establishes quickly and makes a good display in its first year so is ideal in new gardens. Can be cut back hard in late winter and will romp into flower; a cold winter may do the job for you.