Indigofera heterantha – Indigofera gerardiana –

Description

Indigofera – There are 700 or more species of evergreen or deciduous tree and shrubs, annuals and herbaceous perennials, in this genus. They are widely distributed in both Hemispheres in tropical and subtropical regions, in a variety of habitats. They are grown for their small, pea like, pink, mauve, and purple shaded flowers and elegant foliage. The flowers are rarely solitary, often held in loose or dense, terminal or axillary racemes or spikes. The usually pinnate leaves are arranged alternately. Grow in a shrub border or train against a warm, sunny wall, low growing species are useful in rock gardens. Grow in light, moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun or part shade. Prone to rust, root rot, and stem rot. I. heterantha – I. gerardiana – This deciduous, spreading shrub from Northwestern Himalayas grows 6-10′ feet tall and wide. From arching branched it carries pinnate, gray-green leaves, to 4″ long, each composed of up to 21 obovate to oval leaflets. From early summer to early autumn it bears dense, semi erect racemes, to 6″ long, of pea like, purple-pink flowers, ½” across. Likes a sunny position and is one of the most widely cultivated species. Zones 6-9