Practical
Plants

Indigofera heterantha

Indigo Bush

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Indigofera genus in the family Leguminosae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
3 m
Spread
2.5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The flowers are boiled and pickled[12].

Plant part
Flowers

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The branches are used in basket making and in making twig bridges[4][5]. They are also used as a fuel[3][5].

Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Fuel

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas from Afghanistan to W. China.
Habitat
Dry sunny slopes, often forming dense scrub, and in forests 1500 - 3000 metres[4][7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow February in a warm greenhouse. The germination can be variable. Prick out the seedlings when large enough to handle and overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for the first winter, planting out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts[13]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel if possible, July/August in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[13]. Overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for the first winter and plant out in late spring or early summer[2]. Root cuttings 3cm long in December. Good percentage[13]. Suckers. Remove them in the dormant season, preferably towards the end of winter, and plant out into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a light or medium well-drained soil and a sunny position[2][8]. Succeeds on chalk[2]. Succeeds in full sun in most well-drained soils[7], including dry ones[6][9]. Tolerates light shade[9]. The rootstock is hardy to about -15°c[7][8] and plants resprout from the base if they are cut back by winter cold. Plants are cut back to the ground in most winters at Kew though they are all right in the milder areas of the country[2]. They flower on the current years growth[7] and flower more freely if they are pruned to the ground during the winter or early spring[10]. They do not come into new growth until quite late in the spring[10]. A very ornamental plant[1]. Fast-growing when young, but slowing with age[8]. The flowers have a vanilla scent[11]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[8]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00

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  4. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  7. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2

  10. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2

  11. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  12. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

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  13. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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