Dalea
Indigo bush
- Height × spread
- 1.2m – 1.2m × 1m – 1m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 160 species of the Indigo bush. They are found in north America and Canada. The genus includes both shrubs and herbaceous plants and, being members of the Legume family, they all carry pea-flowers. Some of these are desert plants such as the purple-flowered Dalea formosa - the smokethorn. The Dalea are generally gentle, recessive plants that have their season of floral glory when they produce their flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink and purple. Most of these plants are unsuited to the UK. climate and are of specialist interest.
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Foliage colour
- Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 1.2m – 1.2m
- Spread
- 1m – 1m
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Rabbit resistant
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.