Baptisia australis (blue false indigo, Plains false indigo)

Photo/Illustration: Steve Aitken

(Based on 2 user reviews)

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Botanical Name: Baptisia australis bap-TEE-zsah oss-TRAL-iss Common Name: blue false indigo, Plains false indigo Genus: Baptisia

False blue indigo's spikes of clear blue flowers in late spring can nearly carry a border by themselves. They also make great cut flowers. Large, inflated nearly black seed pods set in after flowering, giving this plant another interesting element. It is low maintenance and will look great in any natural or informal setting.
Noteworthy characteristics: U.S. native.
Care: Baptisia prefers open, porous, well-drained, even sandy, soil. To keep it in a more mounded form after flowering, you can shear or prune Baptisia into a low rounded form. It tends to get big and floppy during flowering. It will self-seed.
Propagation: Sow seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Divide in early spring.
Problems: Seeds can be eaten by weevils. Occassional fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew and rust occur. Overall this plant has few problems.

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posted by Jayway
1/2/2010
Region: Upper Plains
Zone: 4

This plants has so much to offer. The soil here is heavy clay and it doesn't seem to hinder the growth at all. It is in one of my gardens that has morning shade and afternoon sun. This is a slow grower and late to show it's head in the spring so be patient. The pea like foliage gives an airy look to any garden. The flower are long lasting and the bonus is the black seed pods in the fall. Great for dried arrangements.

posted by Beebalm
4/8/2008
Region: Midwest
Zone: 4

Baptisia is a wonderful native plant. It does best in full sun. When it is done flowering, the stems work well as greens in cut flower arrangements.

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Photo/Illustration: Steve Aitken

Photo/Illustration: Steve Aitken

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