Small Yellow Wild Indigo

This shrub-like perennial crowns itself with golden flowers in early summer. Small Yellow Wild Indigo is a legume, and its flowers become curious black seed pods which rattle when shaken. This plant's leaves host the caterpillars of the clouded sulphur butterfly. In the winter, the stems die back, only to resprout with great speed each spring. This plant should not be moved after planting. The seed pods can weigh down the stems, so if a more upright growth form is desired, the stems can be trimmed back after flowering.

• Summer Special - The weight of Small Yellow Wild Indigo's seed pods can cause its stems to droop. Flowers can be cut back after blooming for a more upright growth form, but this will eliminate the interesting seed pods.