Product Description
Baptisia australis (25) Bare Root Plants
Common name: Indigo-Blue, False Indigo
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
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.
Flower Color: Purple-blue shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) - Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Low to Average Water Needs
Poor to Average Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Late Spring - Early Summer
Attracts Butterflies
Bee Friendly
Deer Resistant
Seasonal Interest: Dried Seed Heads
Growth Rate: Slow
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Cut Foliage, Dried Flower, Drought Tolerant, Easy To Grow, Salt Tolerant, Specimen, Focal Point
Baptisia australis, commonly known as blue false indigo, is a stunning perennial native to eastern North America. This plant has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its beautiful blue flowers, attractive foliage, and low-maintenance nature. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about Baptisia australis, from its characteristics and growing conditions to caring for it and where to buy it.
Baptisia australis, also known as blue wild indigo, indigo weed, rattleweed, and horse fly weed , is a member of the Fabaceae (legume) family. It was named the 2010 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association. The genus name Baptisia comes from the Greek word "bapto," meaning "to dye". The specific epithet "australis" is Latin for "southern". This plant typically grows in bushy clumps, reaching a height and width of 3-4 feet when mature. Baptisia australis has a slow growth rate. The leaves are a soft blue-green color and have a trifoliate structure, meaning each leaf consists of three leaflets. The leaflets are obovate, meaning they are rounded but wider towards the apex. The foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season until it dies back to the ground in winter.
In mid to late spring, Baptisia australis produces striking blue flowers that resemble lupines. These flowers are arranged in erect racemes, which are flower spikes with a short stem attaching each flower to the main stalk. The racemes can reach up to 12 inches in length and extend well above the foliage mound. The individual flowers are pea-shaped and about an inch long. The color can range from pale to intense indigo blue. There are also white cultivars available. The stems make good cut flowers. The flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
After the flowers fade, Baptisia australis develops inflated seed pods that are 2-3 inches long. These pods turn from green to charcoal-black as they ripen in late summer or early fall. The mature pods contain numerous loose seeds that rattle around inside, giving the plant one of its other common names, rattleweed. The seed pods have considerable ornamental interest and can be used in dried flower arrangements. The blackened pods were once popularly used by children as rattles.
Baptisia australis is a nitrogen-fixing plant. This means it has a symbiotic relationship with bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by the plant. This characteristic makes Baptisia australis a valuable addition to the garden, as it can help improve soil fertility.
The plant takes on more of a shrubby appearance and tends to open up after bloom. This can be managed by trimming or shearing the foliage after bloom, which helps maintain a rounded plant appearance.
Ideal Growing Conditions Baptisia australis thrives in full sun to part shade. While it can tolerate some shade, it performs best and produces the most flowers when planted in a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
This plant prefers average, dry to medium, well-drained soil. It is tolerant of drought and poor soils, making it a good choice for challenging growing conditions. Baptisia australis is also tolerant of clay soil.
You can grow Baptisia australis from seed; however, it may take several years to establish.
Baptisia australis is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9. This means it can withstand winter temperatures as low as -40°F (-40°C).
How to Care for Baptisia australis Baptisia australis is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal care once established. Here are some basic care tips:
- Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help the plant establish a deep root system. Once established, Baptisia australis is quite drought tolerant.
- Fertilizing: Baptisia australis does not require regular fertilization, especially when planted in fertile soil. However, you can apply a balanced fertilizer in spring if desired.
- Pruning: Deadheading the spent flowers is not necessary unless you want to prevent self-seeding or prefer a tidier appearance. You can also trim or shear the foliage after bloom to maintain a rounded plant shape. However, this will eliminate the developing seed pods.
- Dividing: Baptisia australis develops a deep taproot and does not like to be disturbed once established. Therefore, avoid dividing the plant unless absolutely necessary.
- Pests and Diseases: Baptisia australis has no serious insect or disease problems.
- Staking: Taller plants may need support, particularly when grown in part shade locations.
- Juglone Sensitivity: Baptisia australis is sensitive to juglone, a substance produced by black walnut trees. It tends to perform poorly when planted close to black walnut trees.
Landscaping Uses Baptisia australis is a versatile plant that can be incorporated into the garden in a variety of ways. It can be used as:
- A backdrop for other perennials: Its bushy growth habit and attractive foliage make it an excellent backdrop for shorter perennials.
- A specimen plant: Its unique form and stunning blue flowers make it a striking focal point in the garden.
- In group plantings: Planting Baptisia australis in groups creates a dramatic display of color and texture.
- Erosion control: Baptisia australis can be used to help stabilize slopes and prevent erosion due to its deep root system.
- In rain gardens: Baptisia australis can tolerate occasional periods of wet soil, making it suitable for rain gardens.
- In waterside plantings: Baptisia australis can be planted near ponds or streams, adding a touch of color and texture to the water's edge.
- In woodland gardens: Baptisia australis can thrive in the dappled shade of a woodland garden.
Companion Plants Baptisia australis combines well with a variety of other plants. Some companion plants to consider include:
- Coral Bells (Heuchera)
- Astilbe (Astilbe)
- Hosta (Hosta)
- Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
- Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
Historical Uses Baptisia australis has a rich history of use by both Native Americans and early American colonists. Native Americans used it medicinally as a purgative, to treat toothaches and nausea, and as an eyewash. Early American colonists used Baptisia australis as a substitute for true indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) in making dyes, although it was considered inferior.
- Botanical Name: Baptisia australis
- Common Names: Blue false indigo, blue wild indigo, indigo weed, rattleweed, horse fly weed
- Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Spread 3-4 feet
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Flower Color: Indigo blue
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Soil Type: Average, well-drained
- Special Features: Drought tolerant, low-maintenance, attracts pollinators, nitrogen-fixing
Baptisia australis is a beautiful and versatile perennial with a long season of interest. Its attractive foliage, stunning blue flowers, and interesting seed pods provide visual appeal from spring to winter. As a low-maintenance plant that is tolerant of drought and poor soils, Baptisia australis is a great choice for busy gardeners or those with challenging growing conditions. It is also a valuable addition to the garden as a native plant that attracts pollinators and supports local ecosystems. Consider planting Baptisia australis in your own garden to enjoy its beauty and ecological benefits for many years to come.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
