Indigofera heterantha

Himalayan indigo is an unusual shrub from, wonder of wonders, Himalayas. Its deciduous, compound leaves are pale green and look like miniature locust leaves. Flowers cannot be compared to anything you normally see growing in Central European gardens. They are pea-like, formed in erect racemes where individual flowers start opening up at the bottom and continue upwards. Their colour is pure pink to pink-purple, soil conditions pending. It blooms almost all summer long.

Indigo forms a medium fast or fast growing shrub that can take full neglect but the result speaks for itself. We suggest growing it in very fertile, perfectly drained soil in full sun. Under such conditions you can expect a lovely, bushy and dense shrub with profusion of flowers from June until August, creating a typical atmosphere of its home – India and Tibet. It can be cut back every spring to encourage new growths. Fully hardy to about -27°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 28-01-2011.