Plant Profile: Indigofera kirilowii

This low-growing, densely suckering shrub reaches a height of 2 to 3 feet and spreads 3 to 4 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for ground cover. It is drought-resistant and adaptable to various soil types, including clay, and can thrive in alkaline conditions. Native to Korea, northern China, and southern Japan, it thrives best in partial afternoon shade, especially during the hot and humid summers of the Deep South. The compound leaves, bright green in color, transform to a golden hue in the fall. In USDA zones 5 and 6, it can be cultivated as an herbaceous perennial by cutting the stems back to the ground in winter, allowing for fresh growth in spring. Even in warmer regions, a thorough winter pruning enhances the plant's overall appearance.

The flowering period occurs in June and July, with occasional blooms extending into September. The pink, pea-shaped flowers are clustered in dense racemes measuring 4 to 5 inches in length.

In terms of pests and diseases, this plant faces no significant issues.