Blue Wild Indigo

False Indigo

Baptisia australis

bap-TIS-ee-uh aw-STRAL-iss
3 to 4 ft.
2 to 3 ft.
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low

blue, indigo

early summer

3 to 4 ft.

2 to 3 ft.

No

eastern United States

sun, part shade

USDA zones 3-9

hardy to 7,500 ft.

Wild blue indigo is a beautiful perennial flower both in and out of bloom.

It grows as an upright, vase-shaped plant with pretty green oval leaflets. In early summer, spikes of indigo-blue flowers grow above the leaves. The flowers mature into attractive black seedpods. The fall leaf color is yellow, providing interest in the fall.

This is a nice plant that does well in our area. It has a beautiful shape, striking flowers, and attractive leaves. Wild blue indigo was chosen as the Perennial Plant Association’s 2010 Perennial Plant of the Year.

low

blue, indigo

early summer

3 to 4 ft.

2 to 3 ft.

No

eastern United States

sun, part shade

USDA zones 3-9

hardy to 7,500 ft.

Wild blue indigo grows very well at the Xeriscape Garden. It has survived in areas where it received no water, but has performed best in the low hydrozone. It produces some seedlings each year, but they are easily pulled out when small. Definitely worth considering.

Cut the plant to ground level in late winter or early spring.

If the seedpods are left on the plant, seedlings may germinate the following year if they drop on bare soil. To prevent excessive seedlings, make sure the mulch layer is thick enough (3-4 inches deep).