Baptisia bracteata var. glabrescens

Large showy horizontal spikes composed of soft primrose colored, large, pea-shaped blossoms are produced in early spring providing rich rewards to native pollinators, particularly queen bumblebees. The arching spikes sit along blue-green stems adorned with round, 3-5 foliate leaves that fade to gray as summer wanes. The black grape-like clusters of ripened seed pods offer forage to wildlife like quail and wild turkey or spread the seeds and grow more of this beautiful and long lived native perennial. Long-Bract Wild Indigo is one of the lower growing Baptisias and rarely seems to exceed 18-24" high but may spread to 36" across at maturity. Baptisias are naturally durable, pest and disease resistant, long-lived perennials and could be considered the Lupine for the south. They make an excellent addition to the perennial or cut-flower garden that is drought resistant, deer resistant, adaptable, and easy. Baptisia's only get better with age producing more and more spikes of flowers successively each year that they are allowed to share our gardens. Baptisias resent being transplanted once established and eventually develop an extensive taproot from which to regrow each spring.