Photo of Baptisia 'Solar Flare' flower by Chicagoland Grows® Plant Introduction Program

Photo by Chicagoland Grows® Plant Introduction Program

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Baptisia 'Solar Flare'

Also Known As

  • Baptisia 'Solar Flare Prairieblues'
  • Solar Flare False Indigo - Prairieblues™

Plant type

perennial

size

  • H: 3'-4'
  • W: 4'-5'

planting zones

  • 4a-9b

More Options

Baptisia 'Solar Flare' plant details

Baptisia 'Solar Flare' is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In spring orange and yellow flowers emerge followed by black fruit. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, alkaline, average, clay, gritty, lean, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Baptisia 'Solar Flare'

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: fabaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 4 FT - 5 FT - wide, 3 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: orange and yellow blooms in spring
Uses: border plant, cutting garden, disease-resistant, long-lived

GROWING CONDITIONS for Baptisia 'Solar Flare'

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer, heat and humidity
Soil needs: acidic, alkaline, average, clay, gritty, lean, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This super-sized prairie wildflower can produce up to 100! 3-4' tall stems of blue-green foliage topped by 1-2' of lemon-yellow changing to orange pea-flowers... showiest late-May-into-June. S/M/GDr PPAF
This large lupin relative has 12-18 inch lemon yellow spikes which develop an orange blush with age atop large bush like plants to four feet. Other desirable attributes of this under used perennial are blue-green foliage, an upright vase-shaped habit, vigorous growth, easy care, long life, AND mature clumps can bearing over 100 flowering stalks! Use in meadow plantings, as a backdrop in borders and as a specimen. A complex hybrid between B. tinctoria, B. alba and B. australis.
Distinctive for its lemon yellow flowers blushing an array of rich orange and violet hues as they mature, 'Solar Flare' lends sunny charisma to any border. The copious blooms are held on tall spikes well above dapper blue-green leaves, which frame a stylish vase-shaped habit with a broad dense head. A complex hybrid of Baptisia tinctoria, alba and australis developed by Dr. Jim Ault, this fabulous, new bicolored cultivar demonstrates un-bridled vigor and makes an uplifting complementary statement alongside Asclepias 'Soulmate'. (pp#20,408)
A selection from open-pollinated seed collected from a complex hybrid of Baptisia [[tinctoria x alba] x open-pollinated, probably australis], developed by Dr. Jim Ault at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois. .This plant has a striking upright, vase-shaped habit at its base with a dense broad head above. Extremely vigorous, a mature plant will produce more than a hundred stems. The plant covers itself in inflorescences 12" to 18" in length, which are held well above the foliage. This is the only Baptisia selection to date with such colored flowers. The emerging stems in spring exhibit an attractive purple color as long as night temperatures are cool.
Another Jim Ault selection, this plant boasts a striking upright, vase-shaped habit at its base with a dense broad head above. Extremely vigorous, a mature plant will produce over 100 stems. The exposed lower stems and foliage remain an attractive blue-green all summer. The plant covers itself in inflorescences 12" to 18" in length, which are held well above the foliage. Flowers, appearing in early June, initially open a pleasing lemon-yellow color, taking on a unique orange blush with age. PPAF
This is a dandy new hybrid bred from a complex of Midwest prairie native species. Think Lupine without the aphids and with clean rounded pea leaflets on a 3' high by 3'-4' wide deciduous perennial. Bright yellow pea flowers on nice spikes turn to deep orange as they mature. Yea, verily.

Gardening facts about Baptisia 'Solar Flare' plant

How to Grow Baptisia 'Solar Flare'

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • regular - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • clay
    • acidic
    • alkaline
    • adaptable
    • average
    • lean
    • well-drained
    • rich
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • humidity tolerant

Features

  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Wildlife

    • bees
    • butterflies
    • deer resistant
  • Flower Color

    • orange
    • yellow
  • Fruit

    • black
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
  • Foliage Color

    • green
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