Product Description
Baptisia 'Burgundy Blast' PP34689 (25) Bare Root Plants
Common Name: False Indigo
A color break for False Indigo! The shade of purple is redder than the typical purple Baptisia. Dark wine purple flowers are produced over very dark blue-green foliage. When it is in bloom, it is a stunning display of color. Use in place of a shrub in the landscape.
Baptisia 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.
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.
Height: 3.0-3.5 Feet
Spread: 3.0-3.5 Feet
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Purple Shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun to Part Shade
Low to Average Water Needs
Poor to Average Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Late Spring - Early Summer
Attracts Butterflies
Bee Friendly
Deer Resistant
Growth Rate: Slow
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Cut Foliage, Drought Tolerant, Mass Planting, Salt Tolerant, Specimen, Focal Point
The Burgundy Blast Baptisia, also known as False Indigo, is a patented perennial boasting a unique shade of burgundy-purple flowers with a contrasting primrose yellow keel. This North American native plant is a favorite among gardeners for its striking beauty, low maintenance, and ability to attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. In this article, we will explore the characteristics, care requirements, growth habits, and companion plants for the Burgundy Blast Baptisia.
With its deep wine-purple flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer, the Burgundy Blast Baptisia is a standout plant. The flowers are arranged in spikes that rise above the foliage, creating a dramatic vertical accent in the garden. The unique reddish-purple hue of the flowers is a result of it being an interspecific hybrid. The foliage is a dark blue-green color that provides a beautiful contrast to the vibrant flowers. Because the foliage is so handsome, Burgundy Blast can be used in place of shrubs in the landscape. After the flowers fade, attractive black seed pods develop, adding further interest to the plant and providing visual appeal in fall and winter.
The Burgundy Blast Baptisia typically grows to be 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, but it can reach up to 60 inches in height and spread. It has an upright, mounding growth habit, forming a rounded clump. This plant is hardy in USDA zones 4a to 9b, making it suitable for a wide range of climates. It is also deer-resistant and tolerant of drought, clay soil, and urban pollution.
Care Requirements The Burgundy Blast Baptisia is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in full sun to part shade. It prefers well-drained soil but can tolerate a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, sand, and silt. Once established, it is exceptionally drought tolerant. However, constantly soggy, or wet soil can cause root rot.
Planting When planting Burgundy Blast Baptisia, it is important to follow these steps to ensure its success:
- Soil Preparation: Ensure the soil has good drainage. If planting in dense clay, amend the soil by mixing in bagged topsoil in a ratio of about 50/50.
- Planting Depth: Dig a planting hole at least two to three times as wide as the root ball and no deeper than the root ball.
- Root Care: Carefully remove the plant from its container and loosen the roots with your fingertips.
- Placement: Set the plant in the planting hole so that the top edge of the root ball is at or slightly above ground level.
- Backfilling: Backfill the hole with the soil mixture, tamping as you go to remove air pockets.
- Watering: Water the soil thoroughly after planting.
- Root Stimulator: Consider using a root stimulator to encourage strong root development.
- Mulching: Apply a 1/2-inch layer of shredded or chipped wood mulch or pine straw around the planting area to conserve moisture and suppress weed growth. Avoid placing mulch directly against the base of the plant.
General Care Here are some additional care tips for the Burgundy Blast Baptisia:
- Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help the plant establish a strong root system. Once established, it requires minimal watering.
- Fertilizing: While Baptisia is a light feeder, it benefits from fertilization. Fertilize in early spring with a slow-release fertilizer.
- Pruning: Baptisia does not require regular pruning. However, you can cut back the previous year's growth in late winter before new growth emerges.
- Staking: If grown in too much shade, the plant may become leggy and require staking. You can use a peony ring to support the plant and encourage upright growth.
Growth Habits The Burgundy Blast Baptisia is an herbaceous perennial, meaning it dies back to the ground each winter and regrows from the base in spring. It has a slow to moderate growth rate and can live for approximately 25 years under ideal conditions. It is important to avoid disturbing the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen.
This Baptisia cultivar develops an extensive taproot system, which makes it drought tolerant and able to thrive in poor soils. It is best to avoid transplanting established clumps as it can damage the taproot. Once established, Burgundy Blast Baptisia is a long-lived perennial that will reward you with its beauty for many years to come.
Companion Plants The Burgundy Blast Baptisia pairs well with a variety of companion plants. Here are some suggestions:
Taller Plants that Provide a Backdrop:
- Culver's root (Veronicastrum virginicum)
- Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
- Stiff goldenrod (Oligoneuron rigidum)
- Clustered mountainmint (Pycnanthemum muticum)
- Browneyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba)
Shorter Plants that Create a Foreground:
- Orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida)
- Appalachian mountainmint (Pycnanthemum flexuosum)
- Tall blazing star (Liatris aspera)
- Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)
Other Companions for Seasonal Interest:
- Spring bloomers: Gas plant (Dictamnus albus), blue star (Amsonia), bearded iris, peony, catmint (Nepeta), and salvia
- Groundcovers: Artemisia 'Powis Castle', Veronica 'Sunshine', Veronica 'Aztec Gold', and Veronica 'Georgia Blue'
- Spring bulbs
- Achillea 'Firefly Sunshine'
- Geranium 'Boom Chocolatta'
- Monarda 'Electric Neon Pink'
- Nepeta 'Purrsian Blue'
- Panicum 'Totem Pole'
- Agave victoriae-reginae
- Alstroemeria
- Asclepias
- Echinacea
- Nepeta 'Cat Mint'
- Phlox
- Salvia greggii 'Big Pink'
- Sedum
- Solidago
- Paeonia
- Veronica umbrosa 'Georgia Blue'
- Iris tectorum 'Alba'
The Burgundy Blast Baptisia is a captivating and versatile plant that can enhance any garden with its unique beauty. Its distinctive burgundy-purple flowers with a contrasting yellow keel, complemented by its dark blue-green foliage, create a striking display in the landscape. This hardy perennial thrives in a variety of conditions and requires minimal care once established. Its long lifespan, drought tolerance, and ability to attract pollinators make it an excellent choice for gardeners of all levels. Whether used as a focal point, in borders, or as a substitute for shrubs, the Burgundy Blast Baptisia is sure to become a cherished addition to your garden.
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!
