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Native alternative(s) for Indigofera incarnata:
Viburnum dentatum Viburnum dentatum
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Gaillardia pulchella Swallowtail butterfly
Ptelea trifoliata Small tree in the landscape.
Typha latifolia Form

Indigofera incarnata

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Indigofera decora
Phonetic Spelling
in-dih-GAH-fer-uh in-kar-NAY-tuh
Description

Commonly known as Chinese indigo, this deciduous shrub grows on streams and in woodlands in its native Japan and China and is suited to average well-drained neutral to slightly alkaline soil and medium moisture. It can be sun, heat and drought tolerant; but in a hot, humid atmosphere, it benefits from afternoon shade.  It can also suffer damage to the branch tips in a harsh winter.  As it flowers on new growth, it is best to prune to close to the ground or to live growth very early in the spring or even late winter.

This indigo is spreading at 3-4 feet wide and 1-2 1/2 feet tall.  It's leaves are dark green of 8 inch pinnate leaflets and can be used for indigo dye.  The flowering time is concentrated June and July and may be extended to September in sporadic blooms.  The pea-shaped pink blooms are held in narrow racemes of 4-8 inches.

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#pink flowers#low maintenance#slopes#spreading#summer flowers#dye plant#rock garden#flowers early summer#partial shade tolerant#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#pink flowers#low maintenance#slopes#spreading#summer flowers#dye plant#rock garden#flowers early summer#partial shade tolerant#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Indigofera
    Species:
    incarnata
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used for indigo colored dye.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South China to Japan
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Legume
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Flower Petals:
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Wisteria-like in early summer but sporadic blooms until fall.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    7-13 leaflets pinnately compound and dark green.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat