blue false indigo (Baptisia australis) bap-TEE-zsah oss-TRAL-iss 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.

Overview

Height 3 ft. to 6 ft. Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft. Growth Habit Spreads Growth Pace Moderate Grower Light Full Sun to Part Shade Moisture Dry to Medium Maintenance Low Characteristics Attracts Butterflies, Deer Resistant, Native, Self Seeds, Showy Flowers, Showy Seed Heads Bloom Time Late Spring, Spring Flower Color Blue Uses Beds and Borders, Cut Flower Style Cottage Garden, Meadow Garden, Woodland Garden Seasonal Interest Summer Interest Tolerance Drought Tolerant Type Perennials