False Indigo Baptisia australis

immature seed pod

‘Purple Smoke’

summer habit Prairieblues™ Solar Flare False Indigo Baptisia australis Family: Fabaceae

Stem & Leaf Type: herbaceous Landscape Value: Good multi-season interest with show Leaf Color: medium to dark green stopping blue to indigo blue flowers in the spring and inter- Fall Color: n/a esting black seed pods in the fall. Plant in a space where it Flower Time: April, May will have room to grow, plants grow 3’-4’ tall and wide. Flower Color: indigo blue, also white, purple, Plants get almost shrub like and do not like to be moved once yellow established. Those planted in part shade will still have Fruit: pods 2-1/2” long, brown to black, when blooms but will more likely flop over and need some sort of ripe, seeds rattle inside the leath- support. Plants prefer well-drained but moist soils. The ery, hard seed pod. shrubby plants work well for middle or back of the border Light: full sun plants where they can showcase beautiful flowers in the Moisture: moist, well-drained spring and then serve as a backdrop for other shorter plants USDA Hardiness throughout the summer and fall. Plants were used a poor Zones: 3-9 substitute for blue dye—hence the common name. Insect/Disease Issues: Notes: The Prairieblues™ series is a great group of great cul- None serious tivars, including Starlite, Twilite, Midnight and Solar Flare. Nativity: Eastern United ‘Purple Smoke’ is another great “stand-by” cultivar. States Location in the Gardens: Months of Interest: Town & Coun- Jan Feb Mar Apr try Garden— Front Yard May Jun Jul Aug Garden Sep Oct Nov Dec

May 2014