Indigofera decora

Indigofera decora, commonly known as summer wisteria, is a species of shrub native to China and Japan that has since been introduced to Australia and Sri Lanka.[1] A member of the genus Indigofera, its family is Fabaceae[2] and is used primarily for decorative purposes,[3] though it has also been used to make indigo-colored dye.[4]

Indigofera decora
Summer wisteria
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Genus:	Indigofera
Species:	I. decora
Binomial name
Indigofera decora Lindl.
Distribution in Australia
Synonyms
Indigofera incarnata (Willd.) Nakai

I. decora is a deciduous, spreading shrub. It often grows 1–2.5 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. It features compound, pinnate leaves up to 8 inches long with 7-13 elliptic, dark green leaflets. In the summer, it produces axillary racemes of light pink or purple pea-like flowers.[3] Each raceme may boast twenty to forty flowers, and the calyxes have broadly triangular lobes.[5]

I. decora is best suited to well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soils. It is somewhat heat and drought tolerant, but benefits from afternoon shade in hot, humid environments. It is cold hardy in the US in zones 7-11.[4]