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Baptisia australis

Native Plants

Blue False Indigo

4 Photos


Summary

Blue false indigo 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. Baptisia australis 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 over. Blue false indigo makes a stunning statement in the perennial border or naturalized in meadows. Combine this plant with Schizachyrium scoparium, Andropogon virginicus, Packera anonyma, Phlox pilosa, Sisyrinchium angustifolium, and Penstemon digitalis.


More Details

  • Plant Type
    perennial 
  • Sun/Shade Conditions
    filtered-shade, full-sun 
  • 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 

Additional Information

USDA Plants Database, Illinois Wildflowers