Indigofera heterantha
Himalayan indigo
A medium-sized deciduous shrub, herbaceous in colder areas and then making up to 1.2m annual growth. Leaves pinnate with 13-21 small leaflets. Flowers 12mm, rosy-purple, in racemes to 12cm in length from early summer
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Grey Silver Green | ||
| Autumn | Purple | Grey Silver Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- NW Himalaya
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Banks and slopes
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pruning group 1 or Pruning group 13 if wall trained, but can be hard pruned in spring if needed
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility
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