Culture
Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates some shade. Also tolerates alkaline soils and some drought. Generally intolerant of the hot and humid summers of the deep South. Plants may suffer some tip damage or die to the ground in harsh winters, but should come back nicely. As with buddlejas, this plant may be grown in the manner of an herbaceous perennial in USDA Zones 5 and 6A by cutting back all stems close to the ground in late winter to early spring each year before new growth appears. Also may benefit from a similar hard pruning in warmer climates to maintain good form. Blooms on new growth.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Indigofera is a genus of over 700 species of annuals and herbaceous perennials but predominantly evergreen and deciduous shrubs. Most are from tropical and subtropical areas.
Genus name comes from indigo plus Latin fero meaning to bear. The dye indigo is obtained from this genus.
'Rose Carpet' is a dense, low-growing shrub or subshrub which typically grows 8-12" tall and spreads 2-4' wide. Features dense, axillary racemes of rose, pea-like flowers which bloom heavily in June and July and sometimes continue intermittently to September. Compound pinnate leaves (to 2 1/2" long), each with 7-11 oblong, downy, medium green leaflets. 'Rose Carpet' is sometimes listed as a cultivar of Indigofera pseudotinctoria. A separate species, Indigofera tinctoria, is the species that has been used for many years to produce indigo dyes.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Good for slopes, open woodland areas, mixed borders, foundation plantings or as a ground cover.