Baptisia Species, False Indigo, Blue Wild Indigo
Baptisia australis
Family: | Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Baptisia (bap-TIS-ee-uh) (Info) |
Species: | australis (aw-STRAL-iss) (Info) |
Synonym: | Baptisia caerulea |
Synonym: | Baptisia confusa |
Synonym: | Baptisia exaltata |
Synonym: | Podalyria australis |
Synonym: | Sophora australis |

Category:
Perennials
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Herbaceous
Foliage Color:
Blue-Green
Height:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Danger:
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
Medium Purple
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other details:
This Plant is Least Concern (LC)
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel
Scarify seed before sowing
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Auburn, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Gadsden, Alabama
Toney, Alabama
Vincent, Alabama
Peel, Arkansas
Denver, Colorado
East Haddam, Connecticut
Washington, District of Columbia
Bradenton, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Keystone Heights, Florida
Athens, Georgia
Barnesville, Georgia
Dallas, Georgia
Jackson, Georgia
Snellville, Georgia
Villa Rica, Georgia
Wrens, Georgia
Boise, Idaho
Belleville, Illinois
Chicago, Illinois
Grayslake, Illinois
Lincoln, Illinois
Machesney Park, Illinois
Marseilles, Illinois
Mount Prospect, Illinois
Oswego, Illinois
Rockford, Illinois
Saint Charles, Illinois
Waukegan, Illinois
Westmont, Illinois
Greenville, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Lafayette, Indiana
Logansport, Indiana
Macy, Indiana
South Bend, Indiana
Tipton, Indiana
Valparaiso, Indiana
Warren, Indiana
Iowa City, Iowa
Sioux City, Iowa
Urbandale, Iowa
Lawrence, Kansas(2 reports)
Olathe, Kansas
Barbourville, Kentucky
Benton, Kentucky
Ewing, Kentucky
London, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Munfordville, Kentucky
Prospect, Kentucky
Bossier City, Louisiana
Greene, Maine
Westbrook, Maine
Brookeville, Maryland
Frederick, Maryland
Mardela Springs, Maryland
Pikesville, Maryland
Thurmont, Maryland
Beverly, Massachusetts(2 reports)
Lakeville, Massachusetts
Marlborough, Massachusetts
Sandwich, Massachusetts
Spencer, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Wayland, Massachusetts
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts
Weymouth, Massachusetts
Howell, Michigan
Owosso, Michigan
Richland, Michigan
Temperance, Michigan
Utica, Michigan
Andover, Minnesota
Big Lake, Minnesota
Ely, Minnesota
Kasota, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota(4 reports)
Saint Cloud, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Florence, Mississippi
Madison, Mississippi
Ripley, Mississippi
Bucklin, Missouri
Elsberry, Missouri
Dalton, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
Barrington, New Hampshire
Franklin, New Hampshire
Hanover, New Hampshire
Munsonville, New Hampshire
Salem, New Hampshire
Collingswood, New Jersey
Frenchtown, New Jersey
Pennsauken, New Jersey
Plainfield, New Jersey
Whitehouse Station, New Jersey
Alden, New York
Brooklyn, New York
Chester, New York
Hurley, New York
West Kill, New York
Charlotte, North Carolina
Durham, North Carolina
Elizabeth City, North Carolina(2 reports)
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina
Hillsborough, North Carolina
Liberty, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Winston Salem, North Carolina
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Glouster, Ohio
Greenville, Ohio
Hamilton, Ohio(2 reports)
Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Sidney, Ohio
Westerville, Ohio
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Dallas, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
North Plains, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
WALTERVILLE, Oregon
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Lansdowne, Pennsylvania(2 reports)
Mercer, Pennsylvania
Norristown, Pennsylvania
Point Marion, Pennsylvania
Tionesta, Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Chapin, South Carolina
Conway, South Carolina
Fort Mill, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
North Augusta, South Carolina
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Simpsonville, South Carolina
Summerville, South Carolina(2 reports)
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Knoxville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Frisco, Texas
Lampasas, Texas
Montgomery, Texas
Ogden, Utah
Provo, Utah
South Jordan, Utah
Salisbury, Vermont
Ashburn, Virginia
Leesburg, Virginia
Lexington, Virginia
Newport News, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Smithfield, Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Kalama, Washington
Olympia, Washington
Vancouver, Washington
Charleston, West Virginia
Weirton, West Virginia
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Green Bay, Wisconsin
La Crosse, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Racine, Wisconsin
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Jan 20, 2016, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: A beautiful perennial. Lovely blue-green foliage looks good till hard frost. The flowers resemble lupines but are looser and more relaxed. |
Positive | On Aug 30, 2015, nisedidit from La Crosse, WI wrote: I have 5 different varieties in the yard. It does become a huge bush/shrub. I have successfully moved & or divided oldest the plant in the past. But know - if you try this more than likely half the plant will die. I took it apart in the spring after blooming. Mine naturally broke into several pieces. I gave them to others all have survived & did recover over time. I am going to try another this fall to see what happens. Let you know next spring. |
Positive | On Jun 25, 2014, Krootie from Weirton, WV (Zone 6a) wrote: A must have in the garden. Indestructable and growing as a backdrop to our birdbath for over 10 years. |
Positive | On Feb 7, 2014, Rickwebb from Downingtown, PA wrote: Beautiful native plant of eastern North America. It is one of the perennials in a standard garden that is best to leave undisturbed, to not dig up and divide, as it is difficult due to big taproots and it does not have the middle die out. It is also wonderful for native meadow and prairie restorations. It stays as a 3 to 4 ft high herbaceous bush that might need some staking when it is at its tallest. As a legume it fixes nitrogen to the soil. The pods can be used for dried arrangements. Plants from seed take 2 to 3 years to bloom. My specimen in my backyard prairie garden has not ever made seedlings here in se PA. |
Positive | On Oct 27, 2013, Rockguy1 from Calgary, I planted this about six years ago. It now grows from the ground into a "semi-shrub" about 4' tall and wide each year. I'm impressed with its frost hardiness - it can take up to -10C and still be green and leafy well into November. I haven't had a huge number of blooms, maybe 10-15 sprigs on the whole plant each spring, but they are pretty (as are the seed pods) and the foliage itself is quite attractive. |
Positive | On Sep 21, 2013, RainDaisy from Pickering, ON (Zone 6a) wrote: I am growing this plant in zone 6a, it has not flowered yet but I only planted it last year. Reassuring to see from others' comments that it will likely bloom next year. |
Neutral | On Sep 4, 2013, ms_greenjeans from Hopkins, MN (Zone 4a) wrote: My rating is neutral only because I screwed up and planted this too close to a black walnut tree. I did not know at the time that I had black walnut trees or that they emit a substance toxic to certain plants. So in my experience, baptisia is NOT juglone tolerant. This poor thing struggled valiently for a year and then died -- but it whetted my appetite for baptisia in general and now I have some lovely ones in other areas of my yard. |
Positive | On Jun 22, 2013, plant_it from Valparaiso, IN wrote: Native to the middle U.S., Blue Wild Indigo is at home in both formal and naturalized gardens, providing early season nectar to a variety of butterflies and pollinators. |
Positive | On Jun 20, 2013, sandy1230 from Sioux City, IA wrote: I have had my Baptisia plant for 7 years now. All I can say is BEAUTIFUL!!!! I have outside the front of my house, and it is monstrous! All day Full Sun, it thrives there! I live in Iowa, harsh cold winters..... extreme heat, it gets bigger and bigger! Mine produces blue purplish flowers.... Gorgeous! I decided to pour miracle grow on it this year, HOLY MOLY, I have surpassed the 5ft mark!!!!! Im guessing 6 ft tall, 6 ft wide. I did once, open the pods in the fall, froze them, and tried to plant in spring. No luck. Also tried to split the root ball, NOT HAPPENING, too big! So now just living with the one monstererous beauty I have. :) |
Neutral | On Jul 16, 2012, Delhunt from Edmonton, I picked up my plant for $3.00 at Canadian Tire in Edmonton, Ab, Canada (Zone 3-?) 3 yrs ago. I liked the foliage of the little plant and while I didn't remember the name of it, instructions said to lift it in the fall. I forgot and was very surprised it grew the following spring. We have severe temperatures here in winter 25 to 30 below a few times during winter. I took no special care with covering it during winter and it came up the second year. The third year it grew again beautifully, it is now 18 inches high - and in May it was covered with beautiful blue blossoms, about 15 in all. Needless to say, I'll be more careful readying it for winter this fall. This has been our "Mystery Plant" and we're happy it now has a name. |
Positive | On May 3, 2011, kmm44 from Dayton, OH wrote: I got a start of this plant last April at a historic home garden attraction my garden club went to. There had been a sale the previous weekend and we were allowed to browse the left-overs. They made a fortune off of us, lol. I was thrilled to see the baptisia because I had been looking for some that wasn't expensive like the mail orders. I planted it in a front bed with full sun. It did well last summer and is coming back up. I don't know if if will bloom this year, but I am glad it survived the icy winter. |
Positive | On Apr 26, 2011, gacornhusker from Snellville, GA wrote: It did take this plant 3 years to bloom for me in my garden. |
Positive | On Apr 25, 2011, peteunia from Clear Spring, MD wrote: I have had these plants for years and most of them are in part shade. |
Neutral | On Apr 25, 2011, mac41 from Wellsford, Baptisa grows well in our part of NZ, but although the plants have been in for almost 3 years there is no sign of flowers, which is disappointing. It certainly tollerates drought and clay soil, which is good. |
Positive | On Apr 25, 2011, hinshawbaker from Liberty, NC wrote: I first saw this plant in blue/purple at the Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill, NC. It was about 4 ft tall and in full bloom. It was so close to being blue that I just had to have one. That was about 4-5 years ago and the seedling I started out with was VERY small. Now, it reaches a smidge over 4 ft, and is covered with blooms each year. My plant is on the end of my house which faces west, so it gets full sun from mid-day until about an hour before sundown. It is very hot in that location, but it seems to handle it just fine. I have had seedlings pop up around it, but have not attempted a transplant yet. In the same bed I also have a white version and an electric yellow version which both have the same cultural requirements, but don't get as large as the blue/purple. The yellow see... read more |
Neutral | On Oct 25, 2010, soldiersong from North Plains, OR (Zone 8a) wrote: I grew this from seed. It was slow to establish in the garden (of course I moved it the second year, which many have something to do with it). It is now about 24" tall and has lovely shape and foliage. It is not yet bloomed, however, but I am hoping it will next spring. This is the first year since I started this from seed three years ago that it has become a reasonable size, so perhaps it is simply slow to mature from seed. |
Neutral | On Jul 27, 2010, bizzielizzie from Montgomery, TX wrote: I love this plant. It's in full sun here in hot and humid Texas and it bloomed beautifully this year which was it's second year. The first year it was puny and dissapointing.Then the leaves turned black and shrivelled and I found loads of tiny caterpillars all over it so I cut it back about 3 weeks ago. Then it started sprouting again and is about a foot tall but again the caterpillars are back and are stripping the plant and turning the leaves black. Does anyone have any experience of these wretched things. They are nearly an inch long, greeney yellow with black markings. I'd rather not use inecticides and I guess the best way will be to try and pick them off. Any advice will be appreciated. |
Positive | On Jun 1, 2010, wendymadre from Petersburg, VA wrote: I've had Baptisia growing in my Zone 7a yard (Petersburg, VA) for ten years or so, and it has been moved around and survived. It does take it time to adjust, but it has not died. I have also started new plants from seed. I have not scarified them but leave them outside in pots over the winter. I have been pinching the seedlings back, hoping to promote thicker growth. I enjoy its lupine-like leaves and blossoms, as lupines do not thrive in our summer humidity. |
Positive | On Jan 20, 2010, JonthanJ from Logansport, IN wrote: We planted several of these in late 2003. They have developed handsomely. They come up so quickly that people should think of it as a late spring flower with handsome growing foliage through the summer and into the fall. The mature clumps are so big that they hold up against our big clumps of ornamental grasses. Seedlings have come up under several of ours. We even appear to have a shoot coming up from a root that had grown out through the bottom of a pot. |
Positive | On Oct 26, 2009, SoDakMom from Sioux Falls, SD wrote: This plant did not bloom for me until the 2nd year. At that time, I did get several flowers in the spring, however it grew much taller (5 ft.) than I had expected. I am in Zone 4. We have had an exceptionally cool summer & I believe that it may have had a different growing pattern if our weather had been normal for this area. The flowers were beautiful. |
Positive | On Jul 10, 2009, littlelamb from Virginia Beach, VA (Zone 8b) wrote: Love this plant! The color of the leaves are grey/green and the flowers are a beautiful purple for the Spring. It remains very attractive once the flowers are gone so it makes a great backdrop plant for later blooming plants. It's also great for hot/humid areas and can go awhile between waterings/rain. If you have the space, it's a care-free must have. |
Positive | On May 24, 2009, DonnaJG from Indianapolis, IN wrote: Although I too had heard that it was not advisable to move this plant due to its tap root I was able to successfully move it after it had been growing at least 4-5 years. Actually I hired two young men to dig very deeply and take a very large root ball with it. We replanted it immediately and it has done very well. That was about 8 years ago and it continues to do well with minimum or no care. I do cut it back to the ground in early spring. |
Positive | On May 18, 2009, Brella from Greenville, OH wrote: We moved into a rental and this large shrub like plant was growing there. Very unusual, but beautiful! Nobody knew what it was. We moved two years later and took a cutting with us. That was two years ago, and it it thriving. We have clay soil and the plant is in a morning sun only location. It didn't bloom last year, but is doing so this year. It has about 12 stalks and is about three feet high now. The original plant that we took a clipping from was about five feet high. Just wanted to let everyone know that you can grow this plant from cuttings. |
Positive | On Jul 12, 2008, Gabrielle from (Zone 5a) wrote: Beautiful flowers when in bloom and hardy filler plant the rest of the time. Adds winter interest, but also self seeds. Resents transplanting. Blooms in May in my garden. |
Positive | On Apr 11, 2008, Malus2006 from Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) wrote: Definitely need more light - I have two - one is too new to judge yet, and the other one is in more shade - partial from the look of the things. It makes healthy foliages and develops into a large clump but the flowers are fewer, shorter and more "shy" - almost hidden in the foliages. Very touchy about transportation so it's better to get new plants than to transport old speciments. I just enjoy the foliages since that speciment is over 6 years old now while the trees to the south of it have grown taller, blocking the sun and good sunny locations in my yard is hard to come by. |
Neutral | On Apr 1, 2008, 1alh1 from Sidney, OH (Zone 6a) wrote: I, too, made the mistake of planting Baptisia in a shady area, and in my zone 5 garden, it's just now starting to sprout again. Do I take the chance and try transplanting it now before it shoots up any further? Last year, it grew quite tall and spindly with just a few blooms. This will be the third year. |
Neutral | On Jul 5, 2007, Windy from Belleville , IL (Zone 6b) wrote: I have two plants growing next to my driveway. I noticed the one at the bottom, nearest the street had been stripped of the seed pods while still green. We have deer across the street in a wooded area. I believe they ate the seed pods leaving just the naked stem which carried them. |
Neutral | On Jun 17, 2007, lee_ro from Raleigh, NC wrote: I made a mistake and planted this potentially beautiful plant in a mostly shady spot, and while the foliage looks great, healthy and tall it has yet to produce more than one bloom. Last month I observed a single lovely blue bloom and no more- it was a tease. This is the second year it has been in my garden, so perhaps it's not blooming because it's getting more established. I have a feeling it's the shade though, and I hear this plant doesn't transplant well. It has doubled in size since I first planted it in my garden. |
Neutral | On Jan 4, 2007, frostweed from Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: False Indigo, Blue Wild Indigo Baptisia australis is Native to Texas and other States. |
Positive | On Aug 3, 2006, SueBQ from Lansdowne, PA wrote: I purchased this plant from the historic gardens of America's original plantsman, John Bartram, in Philadelphia. I agree, it does take a year or two before it flowers, but it is well worth the wait. It produces beautiful blue flowers, the seed pods look wonderful when they mature and the plant itself stays attractive all summer long. |
Positive | On Jul 27, 2006, patp from Summerville, SC (Zone 8a) wrote: We also love this plant and were pleasantly surprised when an anole resting on a leaf changed to the same blue-green color. |
Positive | On Jul 26, 2006, cwestauto from Bethlehem, PA wrote: This plant does well in full sun. I have 2 large plants and have had them for at least 4 or 5 years. I was able to thin them out and give them to friends with success. We really like the flowers and the color of the leaves. My plants have gotten to be alittle over 4ft tall. The seed pods are just now ready to be removed from the plant (July 26,2006). I have also had success in starting this plant via seeds. This is one of my favorites. Also makes a good cut flower. |
Positive | On May 29, 2006, CaptMicha from Brookeville, MD (Zone 7a) wrote: I adore this plant. It's so easy! I started it from seed 3-4 years ago and this year I have my first flowers. |
Positive | On May 11, 2006, EandEsmom from Ashburn, VA (Zone 7a) wrote: Saw this plant at a botanical gardens and purchased one immediately, purchased a very small plant and it took two years to get any blooms, but the foliage was very pretty and never needed staking in full sun. When it bloomed it was gorgeous and well worth the wait. |
Positive | On Feb 28, 2006, TBGDN from (Zone 5a) wrote: A native flowering perennial of the eastern U. S. with an appetite for long term growth and expansion. Quite nice in any perennial garden, but give it lots of space since it can easily cover a square yard in 3-4 years. And it can grow to 4-5' in height. Late spring blooms add a verticle dimension to borders. Very hardy, drought tolerant plants have attractive foliage and flowers. There is also a natural hybrid of the species in white, and another in purple. I have it planted in three spots with one in light shade. |
Positive | On Jun 15, 2005, Tjsangel from Warren, OH wrote: This is one of my favorite plants. I've had mine 3 yrs, it's now established and had many flowers which are beautiful but dont last more than 3 weeks here. I cut mine back when it starts to get colder-the leaves turn black from frost. The foliage is a beautiful silvery color. Very drought tolerant, and hummingbirds have started coming to mine! |
Positive | On Aug 30, 2004, smiln32 from Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) wrote: Blue-green foliage is an attractive background plant. Showy seed pods are useful in dried arrangements. Used by the Native American as a purgative and anti-inflammatory. Studies have shown this plant to be an immune system booster. |
Positive | On Mar 8, 2004, sue1952 from Utica, MI wrote: In SE Michigan- this is a wonderful plant!! Although it took one entire season to establish itself. The root needs an entire season to tap itself (I read this). The second season it was absolutely gorgeous.. likes full sun and needs no care - in the fall - all vegetation dies off and blows away like a tumbleweed. |
Positive | On Jun 27, 2003, Noodles from Olympia, WA wrote: Wonderful plant, now 5 years old. No pests, nice large lupine-like flowers (good for cutting). I cut back to the ground in early spring; also cut back about 1/3 after bloom. Floppy the first two years, but now does not need staking, although it gets only about 3-4 hours of morning sun. Highly recommend. |
Positive | On Jun 5, 2003, langbr from Lenexa, KS (Zone 6a) wrote: I leave the cane-like stems throughout winter for interest. Cut back to ground in 5b in early Spring before new shoots appear. Great foliage through summer, but flowers only for a short time here. Very little care required. I never water as they flop if they get too much! |
Neutral | On Jan 4, 2001, lantana from (Zone 7a) wrote: Grows in Heat Zones 9-2. |
Neutral | On Nov 4, 2000, jody from MD &, VA (Zone 7b) wrote: Grows to about 4' high and 3' wide. The leaves are blue/green in color. Flowers are spikes and in my opinion resemble a lupine flower. Flower color is purple. Flowers early to mid summer. Best cultivated in full sun and well drained soil. Pretty drought tolerant. Propagate by seed or division. Hardy zones 3-10. |