The Plant Guide

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blue false indigo

Baptisia australis

bap-TEE-zsah oss-TRAL-iss

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 CharacteristicsU.S. native.

CareBaptisia 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.

PropagationSow seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Divide in early spring.

ProblemsSeeds can be eaten by weevils. Occassional fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew and rust occur. Overall this plant has few problems.

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  • Genus : Baptisia
  • Plant Width : 1 to 3 feet
  • Zones : 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
  • Plant Height : 3 to 6 feet
  • Tolerance : Drought Tolerant
  • Moisture : Dry to Medium
  • Light : Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Bloom Time : Late Spring, Spring
  • Maintenance : Low
  • Growth Rate : Moderate
  • Plant Type : Perennials
  • Characteristics : Self Seeds, Showy Seed Heads
  • Plant Seasonal Interest : Summer Interest

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