Product Description
Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' PP34707 (25) Bare Root Plants
Common Name: False Indigo
An attractive native perennial that's bound to be a permanent fixture in your garden. Long 10" spikes of dark mahogany flowers have bright yellow keels, producing a wonderful bicolor effect. The bushy habit is jam-packed with flowers when it is in bloom early in the growing season. Flowers lighten to yellow as the flowers mature.
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: 3.0-4 Feet
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Gold/Orange Shades, Multicolored
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
Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' is a relatively new hybrid variety of false indigo, a perennial plant native to North America. Developed by Hans Hansen and introduced in 2021 by Walters Gardens, this captivating plant is known for its unique bicolor flowers, attractive foliage, and low-maintenance nature, making it a favorite among gardeners.
Characteristics
- Flowers Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' is particularly admired for its long spikes of dark mahogany flowers with bright yellow keels, creating a stunning bicolor effect. As the flowers mature, they lighten to yellow, adding a dynamic element to the plant's appearance. This unique blend of colors inspired its name, resembling the hues of roasted nuts.
- Foliage The oval-shaped leaves of Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' maintain their green color throughout the season, providing a beautiful contrast to the flowers.
- Seed Pods In late summer, the flowers give way to showy black pods, which persist into the fall and add visual interest to the garden. These highly ornamental seed pods have seeds that rattle around inside, providing an interesting auditory element in the garden. The seed heads continue to add beauty and interest to the fall and winter garden.
- This variety typically reaches a height of 3 to 3.5 feet and spreads 3.5 to 4 feet wide. It has a full, bushy, vase-shaped habit, making it an attractive addition to any garden.
- Hardiness Zones Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9. This wide range makes it suitable for various climates across North America.
Growth Habits Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' is a clump-forming perennial with a moderate growth rate. It prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade. However, in shadier conditions, it may require staking to prevent flopping. It thrives in average, well-drained soil and is moderately drought-tolerant once established, thanks to its deep taproot. This plant is long-lived once established, making it a worthwhile investment for the garden.
While Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' can grow quite large, it can be successfully incorporated into smaller gardens with proper maintenance. To maintain a more upright habit and control its size in smaller spaces, a peony ring can be used in early spring to support the plant's growth. Light pruning throughout the season after flowering can further help manage its size.
Preferred Growing Conditions This plant is adaptable and easy to grow, requiring minimal maintenance. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. While it can tolerate some shade, excessive shade may lead to weaker growth and the need for staking. Once established, Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' exhibits excellent drought tolerance, further reducing its maintenance needs.
Uses Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' is a versatile plant with various applications in the landscape:
- Meadow Plantings: Its ability to thrive in various conditions makes it an excellent choice for meadow plantings, where it can naturalize and add a touch of wild beauty.
- Border Backdrops: Its height and full habit make it an ideal backdrop for borders, adding structure and visual interest.
- Specimen Plant: Its unique flower color and attractive form make it a standout specimen plant in any garden.
- Cut Flowers: The long-lasting flowers are excellent for cut flower arrangements, adding a touch of elegance to bouquets. They are considered a must-have for cut flower gardens due to their long vase life.
- Dried Flower Arrangements: The seed pods can be used in dried flower arrangements, providing lasting beauty and texture.
Wildlife Benefits Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' is a valuable addition to wildlife gardens. It attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to the biodiversity of the garden. The flowers are particularly attractive to bees. The seed pods also provide food for birds and small mammals.
Deer and Rabbit Resistance One of the significant advantages of Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' is its resistance to deer and rabbits. The plant's foliage contains compounds that deter these animals, making it a low-maintenance option for gardens prone to browsing.
Companion Plants Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' can be effectively combined with various other perennials to create stunning garden displays. Some companion plants that grow well with Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' include:
- Agastache 'Peachie Keen'
- Amsonia 'Blue Ice'
- Andropogon 'Blackhawks'
- Hibiscus 'Edge of Night'
- Hemerocallis 'Orange Smoothie'
- Kniphofia 'Solar Flare'
Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' is a beautiful and versatile plant that offers a unique combination of color, form, and low-maintenance care. Its striking bicolor flowers, long bloom time, adaptability to various conditions, and wildlife benefits make it an excellent choice for gardeners of all levels. Whether used as a specimen plant, in borders, or as part of a meadow planting, Baptisia 'Honey Roasted' is sure to be a captivating and long-lasting addition to any 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!
