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Indigofera kirilowii - Maxim. ex Palibin.

Common Name Kirilow's indigo, Indigo
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 5-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Grassy places and scrub in sunny positions[200].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Indigofera kirilowii Kirilow


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Indigofera_kirilowii_140-8580.jpg
Indigofera kirilowii Kirilow
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dalgial

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Rounded, Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Indigofera kirilowii is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

I. macrostachya. Bunge. non Vent. I. koreana. Ohwi.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Ophthalmic

Ophthalmic[151].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Erosion control, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Specimen. Requires a light or medium well-drained soil and a sunny position[11, 200]. Succeeds on chalk[11]. The rootstock is hardy to about -20°c[200] and plants resprout from the base if they are cut back by winter cold. Plants are only sometimes cut to the ground in the winter[11]. They flower on the current years growth[184] and flower more freely if they are pruned to the ground during the winter. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. Special Features:Not North American native, Attracts butterflies, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow February in a warm greenhouse. The germination can be variable. Prick out the seedlings when large enough to handle and overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for the first winter, planting out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts[78]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel if possible, July/August in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[78]. Overwinter the young plants in a greenhouse for the first winter and plant out in late spring or early summer[11]. Root cuttings 3cm long in December. Good percentage[78]. Suckers. Remove them in the dormant season, preferably towards the end of winter, and plant out into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Hebei Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Shandong Sheng), Korea, Japan (Kyushu)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Indigofera arrectaBengal Indigo, Java indigo, Natal indigoPerennial2.0 10-12 MLMHNM224
Indigofera cassioides Shrub3.5 8-11  LMNM111
Indigofera decoraChinese indigoShrub1.0 5-7 MLMNM213
Indigofera hebepetala Shrub1.2 7-10  LMNM101
Indigofera hendecaphyllaCreeping indigo, spicate indigo, trailing indigoShrub0.5 10-12 FLMHFSNDM004
Indigofera heteranthaIndigo BushShrub3.0 6-9  LMNDM101
Indigofera pseudotinctoriaIndigoShrub1.0 6-10 MLMNM10 
Indigofera suffruticosaAnil Indigo, Anil de pastoPerennial1.5 10-12 FLMHSNDM024
Indigofera tinctoriaIndigo, True Indigo, dye indigoShrub2.0 5-12 FLMHSNM224

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Maxim. ex Palibin.

Botanical References

11200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Wed Sep 22 01:39:14 2004

I have several years of success growing this plant in partial shade. It blooms as long as it gets enough water. I live in Central Texas.

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