Baptisia
Common Name
False Indigo or Wild Indigo
Family
Fabaceae
Tree or plant type / form
Perennial
Landscape Use
A durable, long-lived, shrub-like perennial with many applications including poor, disturbed sites, naturalized areas, meadows, rain gardens, pollinator-friendly gardens and traditional mixed borders; it can be grown as a single specimen, in informal groups or as a low hedge.
Season of interest and/or other ornamental feature(s)
Upright flower clusters in a variety of colors top dense mounds of green foliage in mid spring; clean, attractive leaves from summer through fall.
Size at Landscape Maturity
Can vary by species or cultivar but generally 2 to 4 feet tall with an equal spread.
Light exposure
Full sun to part shade
USDA Hardiness zone
4 – 8
Origin / Native Locale
The genus Baptisia is represented by several species native to central and eastern North America. Many of these have been hybridized to produce improved horticultural varieties.
Wildlife Value (incl. pollinators)
Flowers attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators; also a host for the larval stage of several butterfly and moth species.
Soil Type & Drainage
Prefers moist, well-drained soil but very adaptable to drier or wetter conditions.
Tolerances
Relatively free of diseases and insect pests. Tolerates drought, clay and poor soils. Unpalatable to deer and rabbits.
Leaf Description
Emerging shoots resemble asparagus in early spring. The clumping stems produce light green trifoliate leaves reminiscent of clover.
Cone / Fruit
Flowers are followed by rounded, brown to black seed pods that persist into winter.
Flower Description
Striking upright racemes sport masses of white, yellow or blue pea-like flowers in the species types to a dazzling array of gold, orange, blue, deep purple and even burgundy and pinkish tones in the newer hybrid cultivars.
Bloom Time in Northeast Ohio
Late May to early June
Cultivars
‘Screaming Yellow’ (B. sphaerocarpa) is a standout species selection. ‘Purple Smoke’ is a time-tested favorite. A wave of recent breeding work has yielded a diverse and impressive group of clonal forms such as the Decadence® series from Walters Gardens, some of which are marketed via the Proven Winners® program. Plant Delights Nursery at Juniper Level Botanic Garden (Raleigh, NC) has also introduced a number of exciting new varieties.
Available at
Secrest Plant Sales and selected local nurseries
Use the Secrest Aboretum Explorer to find locations where this plant is located on the Wooster campus.
