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:

• Show-stopping flower display in early summer
  
• Easy to grow in just about any sunny site
  
• 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.

Height 3-4 Feet

Spread 3-4 Feet

Native Range Found in open woods, river banks and sandy floodplains from New York to Nebraska to Georgia. Distribution Maps by State and County

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

USDA Hardiness Zone 4-8

"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."

Good Companions 'Husker Red' Tall White Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group • Medium to Tall Perennials	Exposure • Sun	Soil • Wide soil tolerance • Saline or alkaline • Well-drained • Acidic	Soil Moisture Preference • Average • Dry
Attracts Wildlife • Butterflies	Bloom Time • Late Spring / Early Summer	Critter Resistance • Deer Resistant	Habitat Collection • Butterfly • Songbird
Native Habitat • Grassland	Foliage Color • Blue-green	Uses • Meadow • Drought tolerant • Naturalizes • Mass plant • Border