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Baptisia australis
Wild Indigo / Blue False Indigo
If Filipendula is the queen of the prairie, Baptisia australis is king. This tough and long-lived perennial is a regal addition to the garden with its elegant spikes of blue flowers in early summer.
Benefits
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Show-stopping flower display in early summer |
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Easy to grow in just about any sunny site |
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Drought tolerant once established |
Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips
Grow in full sun and average garden soil. Tolerant of most soils as long as they are not wet. Water well when planting and regularly for several weeks until it is established. Site your Baptisia carefully as it will not recover quickly from being moved. A long tap root contributes to drought tolerance, but is not conducive to transplanting. Move it immediately following flowering and water well.
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USDA Hardiness Zone 4-8
Native Range
Found in open woods, river banks and sandy floodplains from New York to Nebraska to Georgia.
Native Trivia
As with many things that choose calm longevity over a frenzied yet fleeting life, Baptisias take their time to mature. ~ Bill Cullina, Growing and Propagating Wildflowers

"Wild Indigos are not only beautiful, they are the only native food for the Wild Indigo Duskywing, a small butterfly found in the Eastern US."
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Good Companions
Tall White Beardtongue
(Penstemon digitalis),
Little Bluestem
(Schizachyrium scoparium),
Wild Bergamot
(Monarda fistulosa)
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Characteristics & Attributes
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Plan Sub Group
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Exposure
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Soil
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Soil Moisture Preference
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Attracts Wildlife
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Bloom Time
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Critter Resistance
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Habitat Collection
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Native Habitat
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Foliage Color
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Uses
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Native to
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