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: for plant orders up to $50 the shipping amount is $9.95. For plant orders from $50.01 and over, the shipping rate is 20% of the total plant cost.
Fall plant-shipping begins on September 9, 2024. The last day to order your plants for fall shipment is September 29.
During checkout, you will be asked to 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 ship you will receive an email that includes your 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. You'll probably see some blooms the 2nd year, with increases the following year. 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.
What is the height of the mature plant when not in bloom?
When not in bloom, a mature Blue False Indigo plant is likely be around 4 feet high. Rich soils generally produce larger plants. In poorer soils plants can be shorter, and might only reach 3 feet + in poorer soil situations.
How do I add the rhizobium to the seed?
No action needs to be taken on your part. All of our legume seeds have been pre-inoculated with this bacterium. The bacterium works with the plant to form nodules, on the roots of legume plants, which are capable of taking nitrogen from the atmosphere and incorporating it into the plant.
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