Blue False Indigo is a large bush-like perennial, with dense clusters of deep blue flowers on long upright spikes. In its first few years this long-lived plant develops mostly below ground. After the first two seasons the blooms are increasingly showy as the …
Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis) is a large bushy perennial, with dense clusters of deep blue flowers on long upright spikes. In its first few years this long-lived plant develops mostly below ground. After the first two seasons the blooms are increasingly showy as the plant matures into a shrub-like form around 4’ high. The bluish-green foliage is very attractive and provides a good backdrop to other flowering plants. It makes a strong statement as a specimen plant in formal designs, and is beautiful in a naturalized setting, as well. Because of its wide, branching form, generous spacing is advisable. Easily grown in any average soil, Baptisia australis prefers full sun and is quite drought tolerant, but also does well in partial shade. The tough rootstock can be divided in fall or spring when the plant is dormant.
Blue False Indigo attracts many pollinators and is also a host plant for the Frosted Elfin, Wild Indigo Duskywing, and Hoary Edge butterflies.
Native plants can be grown outside of their native range in the appropriate growing conditions. This map shows the native range, as well as the introduced range, of this species.
Plant Shipping Rates: Plant orders of $50.00 and under, add $9.95 shipping charge. Plant orders over $50.00, add 18% of the total plant cost.
We ship plants in the spring, and in the fall, during our plant-shipping periods. Fall plant-shipping begins on September 11, 2023, and the last day to order plants for fall shipment is October 1, 2023.
During checkout, you will choose a Shipping Week for your plant delivery, from the dates that are available. The week that you choose will be included in your order confirmation email. When your plants have shipped you will receive another email that includes tracking information.
How old are the plants sold in 3" pots? Should I expect any blooms the first year (planted in spring), or is year 2 or 3 more likely?
The potted plants that we ship are less than 1 year old.
Blue False Indigo is a long-lived plant and it will take a few years to mature and bloom, fully. Usually three years. You might see some blooms the 2nd year.
Whether or not you can expect blooms the first year, from new plants that are installed in spring, depends mostly upon the species and the bloom time for that species. Spring transplants need enough time to recover from the transplant, put down roots, and grow to full size before they produce blooms. So spring, or early summer blooming species, often do not have enough time to bloom the first year when they are installed in spring. If you are installing a late summer or fall blooming plant, such as aster or goldenrod, in the spring, then you can expect to see blooms the first year.
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