Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Other Names:  False Indigo

Brand:  Walter's Gardens

Description:

Gorgeous spikes of deep violet purple pea-flowers with yellow keels rise from medium green foliage in late spring; densely branched and very floriferous; use this plant for its outstanding display of vertical flowers as an accent in the garden or borders

Ornamental Features

Indigo Spires False Indigo has masses of beautiful spikes of violet pea-like flowers with purple overtones and yellow centers rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer, which emerge from distinctive indigo flower buds, and which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its oval leaves remain green in color throughout the season. The fruits are showy black pods displayed in late summer.

Landscape Attributes

Indigo Spires False Indigo is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Indigo Spires False Indigo is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Indigo Spires False Indigo will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 25 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Indigo Spires False Indigo is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.