(Baptisia  × v ariicolor Twilite Prairieblues™) bap-TEE-zsah ex var-EYE-ih-kul-or Genus:  Baptisia This amazing baptisia is a cross between B. australis , the most common blue variety, and B. sphaerocarpa , a plant with yellow bloomer. The result is pea-like violet-purple flowers with dramatic yellow keels. It is long-lived, tough, and drought resistant, but it may take three or four gardening seasons to establish itself. Twilite Prairieblues™ blooms in late spring or early summer, When not in bloom, the plant remains attractive because of the lovely blue-green color of its trifoliate leaves, especially in spring. This plant is tall and will look good at the back of a border. -Stephanie Cohen, Plants to know and grow, Fine Gardening issue #120 Noteworthy Characteristics:  Unique bicolor flowers on a long-lived, tough plant with attractive foliage. Fixes nitrogen in the soil, like other members of the legume family. Care:  Provide full sun and most any well-drained soil. Baptisias have an easy-to-snap taproot and resent being transplanted. Decide carefully where to put this plant, and leave it alone for at least four to five years. If you do transplant it, treat it like a shrub and move it with the soil intact in a large root-ball. The plant can be cut back after flowering to encourage a flush of new blue-green growth. You will lose the ornamental black seedpods, however, which persist into fall. Alternatively, wait until after the first hard frost to cut back.

Overview

Height 3 ft. to 6 ft. Spread 3 ft. to 6 ft. Growth Habit Clumps Growth Pace Slow Grower Light Full Sun Only Moisture Dry to Medium Maintenance Low Characteristics Showy Flowers Bloom Time Early Summer, Late Spring Flower Color Purple, Yellow Uses Beds and Borders Style Cottage Garden Seasonal Interest Spring Interest Tolerance Drought Tolerant Type Perennials