Baptisia australis (25) plants
Common name: False Indigo-Blue.
Zones 3 to 9.
Full sun to part shade.
Plants reach 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide.
Growth rate: Slow, Easy to grow.
A distinctive perennial with showy indigo-blue flowers carried on tapering spikes up to 1ft. long. They are held just above the dense, bushy mounds of soft blue-green foliage. The blooms appear from mid to late spring, followed by 2 to 3 inch long, black seed pods which remain attractive well into winter. They can be dried for use in arrangements.
Baptisia grows best in full sun, though it tolerates light shade. If grown in too much shade, plants may require staking. Baptisia is easily grown in poor to average soil that is well-drained. Once established, it is moderately drought tolerant because of its tough, deep taproot. This perennial native may take a couple of seasons to become established, but is very long-lived once mature. Avoid disturbing established clumps.
Baptisia australis is native to the prairies of North America, so it is easy to grow and will thrive with little maintenance. There are many potential applications in the landscape including meadow plantings, as a backdrop in borders, or as a specimen. Plants are very long-lived once established.
Though Baptisia is a large perennial, it can be grown in smaller gardens if maintained a bit differently. In early spring, set out a peony ring (circular wire stake) for the Baptisia to grow through. This will help it to grow more upright and take up less horizontal space. After the plant is finished blooming, prune it lightly throughout the season to keep its size in check. Seed pods may not develop in fall due to the pruning, but the flowers and foliage will be beautiful.
2010 Perennial Plant of the Year.
Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit 1993 Excellent as a border plant, in mass plantings, for cut flowers, specimen or focal point and its salt tolerant. Attracts butterflies and Deer resistant.
Shipped bare root. . |
Electronic Commerce 
)
