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    • Photo of Baptisia australis flower by Panayoti Kelaidis

    Photo by Panayoti Kelaidis

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Baptisia australis

    Also Known As

    • Blue Wild Indigo
    • False Indigo
    • Wild Blue Redneck Lupine
    • Wild Indigo

    Plant type

    perennial

    size

    • H: 36"-48"
    • W: 36"-48"

    planting zones

    • 3a-9b

    More Options

    Baptisia australis plant details

    Baptisia australis is a slow-growing broadleaf deciduous perennial with blue and green foliage. In spring and summer blue 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, humidity tolerant and wind tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Baptisia australis

    Plant type: perennial
    Plant family: fabaceae
    Foliage: deciduous blue and green
    Mature size: 36 IN - 48 IN - wide, 36 IN - 48 IN - tall
    Flowers: blue blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: border plant, cottage garden, dried-arrangements, easy-to-grow, showy seedheads

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Baptisia australis

    USDA Zones: 3a - 9b
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: deer, heat, humidity and wind
    Soil needs: acidic, alkaline, average, clay, gritty, lean, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    One of the very best wildflowers for the garden! These easy to grow perennials from the woods, thickets and streambeds of the southeast United States feature showy racemes of intense indigo-blue pea-like flowers which rise on 4' stalks in May-June. The clover-like green-blue foliage is pretty when the plant isn't blooming and after flowering, the seed pods turn black and are quite ornamental as well (they also make fine rattles!). These beauties are perfect for naturalizing and are good for erosion control. S/M-D

    By: Forestfarm

    Sturdy upright perennial to 4' tall & 2' wide thrives is full sun and most soils. Spikes of aconitum blue flowers are dramatic in summer! Erect, inflated seedpods are great in dried arrangements – drought tolerant, deer resistant.

    By: Secret Garden Growers

    Native to the eastern half of the country and once known as Blue Sophora, it was brought into gardens by 1758. The pinnate leaves are blue-gray and look great all season long; the dark lavender blue spires of pea-like flowers add much to the overall lushness of the June garden. A low maintenance, long-lived plant that grows to become a small bush in time.A classic companion to peonies and roses.

    By: Select Seeds

    A mid-border anchor with deep blue lupine-like flower spikes and dark green foliage. Provides an unusually good deep blue colour for the border. The curly black seed pods are lovely in flower arrangements. Selected by the Perennial Plant Association as Perennial Plant of the Year 2010. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    Deep rooted and very long-lived, Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis) forms a large 'bush' at maturity. Clusters of deep blue flowers surround this perennial favorite in late spring, becoming showier and more developed with each growing season. Makes an excellent specimen plant, planted individually or in groups, spaced three feet apart. Hardy to Zones 3 - 10.

    By: Prairie Nursery

    Stout perennial with panicles of blue-violet Pea flowers. Nice mid to back border plant. This gets a decent taproot so plant it where you want it but this also allows for some tolerance to periods of drought.

    By: Far Reaches Farm

    Easy to grow and will be a garden anchor for many years. Indigo-blue flowers on 3-4' tall and wide rounded perennial. Unique black seed pods persist into late fall.

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Gardening facts about Baptisia australis plant

    How to Grow Baptisia australis

    • 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
      • wind tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green
      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • blue

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • butterflies
      • deer resistant

    • Fruit

      • black

    • Flower Season

      • spring
      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

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