Audubon® Native Shrub Indigo

To attract birds to your yard and get them to stick around, you need to offer them not only food but shelter as well. False Indigo Bush is an excellent way to create cover for birds in a hurry. When planted en masse, this fast-growing Accent quickly forms a thicket, where songbirds and even small gamebirds like quail can forage for food and feel safe from predators. Sparrows may dine on the seeds in fall, and all sorts of insectivorous birds will appreciate False Indigo Bush for the many caterpillars and other bugs that feed on its foliage.

Although most people have no idea what False Indigo Bush is, it’s actually a fairly common plant with an extensive natural range. This adaptable Accent is native throughout much of the U.S., with the exception of the Northwest and parts of the Northeast. It often grows along streams or swamps but tolerates dry soil, too. Look for it in early summer, when the interesting flowers appear. They form fingerlike spikes of tiny purple florets with yellow-orange pollen. A host of native bees and other insects readily visit the blossoms, making False Indigo Bush a fine pollinator plant as well.

False Indigo Bush hosts several butterfly species, such as the friendly silver-spotted skipper, a frequent visitor to gardens. Other butterflies supported by this useful native include gray hairstreaks and dogface sulfurs.

Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.

What is the definition of Native?

“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society

Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.

Audubon® is a licensed and registered trademark of the National Audubon Society. All rights reserved.