Baptisia australis
$34.99
Baptisia australis is a long-lived clump-forming perennial with blue-green leaves, indigo pea flowers, and decorative black seed pods.
- Description
- Additional information
Description
Baptisia australis forms a substantial, shrub-like perennial clump about 36 to 48 inches tall and 24 to 48 inches wide. Upright racemes carry indigo-blue pea flowers above alternate three-parted blue-green leaves in late spring and early summer. Inflated pods mature to black and extend the display after flowering.
Grow it in full sun or partial shade in average, well-drained soil, allowing about 36 inches between plants. Its deep taproot improves drought tolerance, so choose a permanent position and water regularly only while it establishes. Cut blackened stems down after their useful winter display. All parts are toxic if eaten; do not ingest them.
Additional information
| Height | 90 cm – 120 cm |
|---|---|
| Spread | 60 cm – 120 cm |
| Flowering months | May, June |
| Synonyms | Baptisia caerulea, Baptisia confusa, Baptisia minor, Baptisia versicolor |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Propagation | Sow ripe seed in pots in a cold frame, take stem or root cuttings, or carefully divide vigorous clumps in early spring. |
| Pests | No major pest problems are usually reported. |
| Diseases | No major disease problems are usually reported. |
| Pruning | Cut stems to the ground after the foliage has blackened; leave sound seed-pod stems longer when winter structure is wanted. |
| Hazardous information | All parts contain toxic compounds and should not be eaten; keep cut stems and seed pods out of reach. |
| Hazardous | yes |
| Variegated | unknown |
| Watering instructions | Water regularly during establishment, then water deeply but allow the soil to partly dry between soakings. |
| Sunlight instructions | Plant in full sun for the strongest flowering and most upright growth; partial shade is tolerated. |
| Color flower spring | Purple, Blue |
| Color flower summer | Purple, Blue |
| Aspect | East, South, West |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Habit | Clump-former |
| Moisture | Well Drained Soil |
| Ph | Acid, Neutral |
| Position | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Shape | Mound-forming, Upright |
| Suggest planting location | Banks and slopes, Flowering borders, Cut flower use, Cottage and informal gardens, Wildlife friendly gardens |
| Type | Perennial |
| Use for | Bee-Friendly, Butterfly-Friendly, Cutting Garden |
| Years to max height | 2 |
| Drought resistance | yes |
| Soil | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Local names | Blue False Indigo |
| Blomidon Item No | MO23016162, ZBAPAU0001G, ZBAPAU0002G |
| Usps | Indigo-blue flower racemes rise over handsome blue-green foliage in late spring., Inflated black seed pods add bold structure after the flowers fade. |