Other Names:  Indigo Bush, syn. Indigofera gerardiana

Description:

Dazzling racemes of rosy-purple pea-shaped flowers make a showy display in the heat of summer; ferny foliage adds fine texture to the landscape

Ornamental Features

Himalayan Indigo features showy racemes of hot pink pea-like flowers hanging below the branches from early to late summer. It has attractive emerald green deciduous foliage. The ferny compound leaves are highly ornamental but do not develop any appreciable fall color.

Landscape Attributes

Himalayan Indigo is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Himalayan Indigo is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Himalayan Indigo will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 7 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided. This species is not originally from North America.