Chinese Indigo Indigofera incarnata
Previously known as:
- Indigofera decora
- Phonetic Spelling
- in-dih-GAH-fer-uh in-kar-NAY-tuh
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
