Growing Beautiful Baptisia

Botanical name:

Baptisia

Common names:

Wild indigo, false indigo

Origin:

North America

Zone:

Typically 3-9 for wild species; 4-9 for cultivated hybrids.

Height/spread:

3 to 4 feet

Exposure:

Full sun to light shade. However, in shade plants may get lanky and bloom less profusely.

Bloom time:

Late spring to midsummer

Length of bloom

Typically 3 to 4 weeks, depending on the temperature. In cooler weather, bloom times may be longer.

Growth rate

Slow. Plants grown from seeds may take two or three years to bloom and as long as 5 years to reach their full, shrublike appearance.

Flower colors and characteristics

Because baptisia is a member of the legume family, the pretty florets are shaped like pea blossoms and are borne loosely on elegant 12- to 24-inch spires. Wild species, such as B. australis and B. alba, are typically limited to shades of blue, purple, and white. However, newer hybrids, such as the Decadence® series from Proven Winners, offer a much broader array of color options including bright yellow, pink, sapphire, and even bicolors.

Special attributes

• Deer and rabbit resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Flowers attract bees and butterflies
• Low maintenance
• Self-fertilizing
• Rarely bothered by insect pests or foliar diseases

Decadence® 'Lemon Meringue' false indigo (Baptisia hybrid). Photo by Proven Winners.

When to plant:

Any time during the growing season, although plants will get off to a better start and require less watering if you get them in the ground in early spring or wait until the cooler weather of fall.

Spacing:

Typically 3 to 4 feet apart, depending on their spread at maturity. Because plants can take years to reach their full size, don’t be tempted to space them close together. Baptisias form a deep root system, so they are difficult to move once they make themselves at home.

Best way to propagate:

From seed, sown outside in fall or early spring. For the best germination, soak seeds in scalding water for a few hours to soften their hard coating (see Growing Perennials from Seed). Note that hybrid cultivars will not grow true from seed.

Soil:

Average, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.

Watering:

Keep soil evenly moist until plants become established. Once they take root, they are very drought-tolerant thanks to their extensive root system.

Pruning and deadheading:

Baptisias will rarely rebloom if deadheaded, and doing so will prevent the development of the attractive seedpods. However, you can cut back plants by as much as a third in midsummer to shape them to your liking, just as you would when pruning shrubs. If you want seedpods to form, forego extensive pruning and let your plants go to seed.

Dividing:

Because mature baptisias have thick, long taproots, they don’t fare well if you try to uproot and divide them. Transplanting and dividing is best done while your plants are still young. If you must divide them, wait until spring and dig deeply to avoid cutting into the root system.

Fertilizing:

No need. Because they are legumes, baptisias supply their own fertilizer through the nitrogen-fixing bacteria on their roots (see All About Roots).

Support:

Baptisias don't normally require staking, but may need some support if they're grown in partial shade. If your plants tend to flop, secure them to a peony ring or other support in early spring.

End-of-season care:

Cut your plants back to the ground after the first hard frost in fall or before new growth emerges in the spring. The frost-nipped foliage will blacken, but the seedpods add interest to the winter garden.

There are many ways to use baptisia in your yard or garden. Here are a few suggestions:

• Hedge
• Mass planting
• Meadow garden
• Specimen plant
• Pollinator garden
• At the back of beds and borders.

Also, add a few to the cut-flower garden to harvest for beautiful, long-lasting indoor bouquets. The beanlike pods that develop in fall can be enjoyed in dried flower arrangements.