Maintenance Landscaping Design

False indigo bush is a plant that is native to North America. It is a member of the legume family, which means that it has the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. This is an important quality for a plant to have, because it helps to improve the quality of the soil. The false indigo bush is a perennial plant, which means that it can live for more than two years. It grows to be about four feet tall and has blue or purple flowers.

Popular name

• Attempts to domesticate the plant have not been successful.
  
• It has been introduced to North America, where it is now considered an invasive species in some areas.
  
• It is sometimes called false indigo bush, although it is not closely related to the true indigos.
  
• It has also been called wild indigo, indigo bush, and indigo plant.
  
• The plant is sometimes referred to as broom bush, due to its broom-like appearance.

Common Knowledge

• False indigo bush is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 6 feet tall.
  
• It has dark green leaves that are 2-4 inches long and 1-2 inches wide.
  
• The edges of the leaves are serrated or toothed.
  
• The flowers of the false indigo bush are blue or purple and bloom in the spring.
  
• The fruit of the false indigo bush is a black, oval-shaped drupe that contains a single seed.
  
• False indigo bush is native to the eastern United States and Canada.
  
• It is often found in woodlands, forest edges, and along roadsides.
  
• False indigo bush is a member of the legume family and is related to other plants such as clover, alfalfa, and soybeans.
  
• The roots of false indigo bush contain a chemical called alkannin which has been found to have anti-cancer properties.
  
• False indigo bush is considered an invasive species in some parts of the United States.

Related plant:
False Heather

Growing Steps

1. For false indigo bush, first step is to find a spot in your yard that has full sun and well-drained soil.
   
2. Once you have found the perfect spot, you will want to dig a hole that is twice the size of the bush’s root ball.
   
3. After you have dug the hole, you will want to mix some compost into the hole.
   
4. Next, you will want to remove the bush from its container and place it into the hole.
   
5. Once the bush is in the hole, you will want to backfill the hole with the dirt mixture.
   
6. After you have backfilled the hole, you will want to water the bush deeply.
   
7. Once the bush is watered, you will want to mulch around the base of the bush.
   
8. The next step is to fertilize the bush in the spring.
   
9. You will want to prune the bush in late winter or early spring.
   
10. Finally, you will want to check the bush periodically for pests or diseases.

Related plant:
False Holly

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, the false indigo bush prefers well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. The plant also does well in sandy or loamy soil as long as it is not too dry. The false indigo bush is tolerant of both acidic and alkaline soils.

Light requirement

Not too different with other plants, the false indigo bush needs sunlight to grow. However, this plant is a little more particular about how much light it gets. It does best in full sun to partial shade, meaning it needs direct sunlight for at least part of the day. If it doesn't get enough light, it will grow leggy and won't flower as much.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature conditions that are ideal for the growth of the false indigo bush are those that are warm and sunny. false indigo bushes can also tolerate some shade, but they will not thrive if they are in an area that is too shady.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% or below, and it will struggle if the humidity is too high. The leaves may start to turn yellow and drop off if the air is too dry, so you'll want to make sure you're providing enough moisture, either through humidity or by watering more often. If the leaves are wilting and falling off, it's likely that the plant is not getting enough water.

Fertilizer Requirement

The fertilizer, this type of plant feed, is essential to the growth and health of the plant. It is absorbed by the roots and transported to the leaves, where it is used to produce food for the plant. The roots of the false indigo bush are shallow and spread out, making them ideal for absorbing nutrients from the soil.

About light

Pruning the false indigo bush is a simple process that can be done with little effort. The bush can be cut back to the ground to encourage new growth, or it can be pruned to maintain its shape and size. When pruning, be sure to remove any dead or damaged branches and to cut back any branches that are crowding or rubbing against other branches.

The Propagation

Propagation is typically done through seed, but it can also be done through cuttings. Seed can be collected from the wild or purchased from a nursery. To propagate through seed, plant the seeds in well-drained soil in full sun. Water regularly and thin out the seedlings as they grow. To propagate through cuttings, take 4-6 inch cuttings from the tips of new growth in late spring or early summer. Stick the cuttings in moistened potting mix and place them in a warm, bright spot. Water regularly and roots should form within 4-6 weeks.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate falls between 24 and 36 inches per year, with a mature height between 3 and 4 feet. Though this plant can grow in a wide range of soil types, it prefers well-drained soils. It also does best in full sun but can tolerate some shade.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are crown rot and root rot. Both of these problems are caused by too much moisture in the soil. This can be caused by over watering or by planting in an area that doesn't have good drainage. To fix these problems, you need to improve the drainage in your soil and make sure you aren't over watering your plant.

List to Know

• Do not forget to water your false indigo bush regularly, especially during dry spells.
  
• Fertilize your false indigo bush every spring using a balanced fertilizer.
  
• Prune your false indigo bush in late winter or early spring to shape it and encourage new growth.
  
• False indigo bushes are tolerant of most soil types, but they prefer well-drained soil.
  
• False indigo bushes are generally resistant to pests and diseases, but be on the lookout for aphids and scale insects.
  
• False indigo bushes can be propagated from seed or cuttings.
  
• False indigo bushes are not typically bothered by deer or other browsing animals.
  
• False indigo bushes can be used as specimen plants or in mass plantings.
  
• False indigo bushes can be grown in full sun or partial shade.
  
• False indigo bushes are relatively low-maintenance

Similar Plants

• * Switchgrass – Panicum virgatum
  
• * Big Bluestem – Andropogon gerardii
  
• * Purple tridens – Tridens flavus
  
• * Hopniss – Apios tuberosa
  
• * Wild Buckwheat – Eriogonum umbellatum
  
• * Wooly Buckwheat – Eriogonum luteolum
  
• * Prairie Dropseed – Sporobolus heterolepis
  
• * Bottlebrush Buckeye – Aesculus parviflora
  
• * Little bluestem – Schizachyrium scoparium
  
• * Wild Indigo – Baptisia tinctoria

Source:
False Indigo | Oklahoma State University
False Blue Indigo | University of Maryland Extension
Wild or False Indigo | Home & Garden Information Center