Growing Conditions
The shrubs appreciate full sun and well drained soil but will tolerate
nutritionally poor soil, drought and some shade. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
While False Indigo only takes about a year to reach its full height, plants started from seed do take three to four years to flower, however, they are very long-lived. If you do not deadhead the flowers, you will get attractive seed pods although this can make the plants top-heavy and prone to splitting open in the center, especially plants grown in partial shade.
Uses
Historically used to make dye – indigo in colour – however the quantities produced are very small.
Plants have an extensive root system and are also fairly wind tolerant so they can be planted as a windbreak and also to prevent soil erosion.
The false indigo in our food forest is still young and probably a few years away from flowering but we are finding that they are much more resistant to becoming snail snacks than Tagasaste and Kakabeak. Being deciduous also opens up a few more options in terms of using them as a canopy and nitrogen supplier for small seedlings that struggle with direct sun in the summer but appreciate the warm winter sunshine.
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