Indigofera decora
Family: Fabaceae
Sometimes called Summer Wisteria or Chinese Indigo, it is a soft stemmed low growing plant that has a suckering habit. Leaves and flowers are reminiscent of a wisteria plant, hence the common name.
It is native to China, Hong Kong, Japan and the Philippines. Its ease of culture has resulted in becoming naturalised in some gardens, but this is generally rare.
It loves a deep moist composted soil in dappled shade, yet has proven itself hardy in less ideal conditions.
This is one of those old-fashioned plants that is sometimes hard to source. Ask your local garden centre to get one in for you as they are flowering now in gardens in eastern parts of Australia (September-October).
It is deciduous in winter so it is best planted amongst other garden plant specimens.
Once established, it can survive extended dry periods by dropping leaves and waiting till the next rains. If eaten by grubs or grazing animals it will reshoot.
The spreading and suckering nature of this plant is an indication that in some gardens it should only be grown in pots where it can be controlled.
This plant is slow growing and rarely sold in garden centres.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I remember this plant growing in my parents’ garden in Sydney when I was growing up. I bought two soon after I moved to the Sunshine Coast. One is still alive after 8 years, but has done nothing; the other may still be alive, or has been replaced by a Cassia – how do I tell them apart just from leaves? And what can I do to encourage growth and flowering? My garden is sand, the plants are in shade but fairly dry.
Hi Jan,
These plants do seem to love deep rich organic soils and a moist composted site. Lack of spring flowering tends to result from lack of fertilising. Recent year with rainfall has likely leached all the nutrition out of the soil. It may be a bit late, but I would recommend giving it a liquid boost with fertiliser now. Then, apply a slow release fertiliser… or a good dose of organic matter (rich in manure) in preparation for the comming growing season over summer.
My Mother in law had these plants growing in her garden in Roseville Sydney, I have some of these growing in my garden in Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast, they are very hardy and it is always a surprise to find one flowering amongst other plants in spring.
Is there also a native species?
Yes there is the native Indigofera australis… but flower is not as ornamental. It is a plant worth seeking and a great alternative for native garden lovers – http://anpsa.org.au/i-aus.html
Hi, I’m from Singapore and am looking for such a plant. I understand that it is very difficult to purchase and have plants sent from Australia. Purhaps I can get hold of the seeds instead. Do you have seeds of the Indigofera Decora plants? Would like to get hold of them. Please contact me. Thank you.
Indigofera is taking over my garden (Sydney). It’s very hard to pull up because it is all joined up underground. What is the best way to get rid of it? I want to start a vegie garden.
I have this plant growing on an east facing site in clay soil, very moist. It is taking over the garden and I have to clear the bed. I am on the Sunshine Coast