Kirilow Indigo Indigofera kirilowii

This low growing dense suckering shrub is 2-3 ft high with 3-4ft width and suckering habit which can be used as a ground cover. It is drought tolerant and accepts a range of soil types including clay.  It will tolerate alkaline soils. Originally native to Korea, northern China and southern Japan, it prefers some partial afternoon shade in the hot, humid summers of the deep South. The compound bright green leaves take on a gold color in fall.  In zones 5 and 6 it can be grown as an herbaceous perennial by cutting the stems back to the ground in the winter before new growth emerges.  Even in warmer climates, the structure of the plant looks more attractive after giving it a hard winter prune.  

The flowering time is June and July, however, it can bloom sporadically to September.  The pea-shaped blooms of pink are held in dense racemes of 4-5 inches. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.