Summary
Blue false indigo (Baptisia australis) is a beautiful, long-lived, drought tolerant perennial with a robust habit and attractive foliage. In late May, its intensely saturated violet blue flower spikes rise above 3-4’ tall multi-stemmed plants with bluish green foliage. Blue false indigo prefers full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained to dry, and low nutrient soils. However, in too much shade or high nutrient soils, this plant flops. Blue false indigo makes a stunning statement in the perennial border or naturalized in meadows. Combine this plant with little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), broomsedge bluestem (Andropogon virginicus), Small’s ragwort (Packera anonyma), downy phlox (Phlox pilosa), narrow leaf blue-eyed-grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium), and foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis). Zones 3-9.
More Details
- Sun/Shade Conditions
full-sun-to-part-shade - Foliage Character
deciduous - Soil Moisture
average, dry - Flowering Period
mid-spring - Soil PH
adaptable - Flower Color
purple - Summer Foliage Color
blue-green - Fall Foliage Color
green - Fruit/Seed Color
black