Native to North America, False Indigo is found throughout most of the United States and lower eastern Canada. Good hardiness combined with flexible soil preferences (either sandy or loamy soil that is dry to moist, as well as high salt tolerance) are key factors in it’s widespread existence.

One of the earlier shrubs to begin blooming each year, it provides deep, rich color visuals, and is a highly valuable nectar source for spring’s emerging bees and butterflies, as well as other pollinators, to get the populations going in the new season.

For an incredible flurry of butterflies all year long, consider planting False Indigo and Butterfly Bush, flanked by Valerian, with Sage, Betony, Yarrow and Anise Hyssop in the foreground.

Care:

False Indigo is a low care shrub, once established. In addition to tolerating a wide variety of soils, texture, density, and moisture-wise, it is also highly tolerant of nutrient-lacking soils. It’s also light flexible, doing well in all but deep shade.

Mainly, protect your False Indigo from being chewed on by rabbits or deer. Placing protective fencing or wire around the shrub until your False Indigo is more sizable may be wise in areas that have rabbit and/or deer populations.

Photo Credit:
Leonora Enking