The false indigo - a plant for your garden

Bring a touch of blue in your garden with the false indigo plant. The name of this North American plant comes from its usage as a substitute of the vegetal originally used for dye, Indigofera Tinctoria. It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry.

The plant is found under names as: Blue False Indigo, Indigo Weed, and Horse Fly Weed, Rattle weed and Rattle bush. The scientific name is Baptista Australis. As types you can find: Baptista Australis, Baptista Starlite Praire Blues and others.

The charm of this plant is given by its lavender-blue flowers. It is a low maintenance vegetal because it can survive in dry conditions, droughts and a dry soil. It produces fruits that look like brown capsules. The reproduction is made sexually and asexually through rhizomes spreading. The seeds will fall in fall or early spring (according to your setting). The best period for pruning is the summer. This is a plant that will grow in a full sunlight, from 48 to 120 cm height. Although it comes from the pea family (its blossoms are similar with peas) it has an upright trunk.

The best way to grow the false indigo is also the simplest way.

Obtain a small perennial from a nursery. Plant it in a spot where full sunlight reaches. Dig for 2-3 inches in the ground beyond the depth needed for the already grown roots. In this way you will leave room for them to spread. Place the false indigo in the soil and cover it with the compost from the initial pot. Put in some minerals and water and then cover the whole with the rest of the soil. Mulch the area to achieve the best absorption.

The false indigo has many purposes, like: ornamental plant, a substitute of the plant for dye, medicinal uses (antiseptic, stimulation of the immune system, fight with fever, tonsils etc).
But, it is said that is a bit toxic. So, consult a doctor before using the plant.

All in all, hopefully you have made a decision for your garden.

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