Blue False Indigo (Baptisia Australis Var. Minor)
Blue False Indigo
Baptisia australis, commonly called blue false indigo, is an upright perennial which typically grows 3-4′ tall and occurs in rich woods, thickets and along streambanks from Pennsylvania south to North Carolina and Tennessee. It features purple, lupine-like flowers in erect racemes (to 12″) atop flower spikes extending well above a foliage mound of clover-like, trifoliate, bluish-green leaves (leaflets to 2″ long). Blooms in spring. Flowers give way to inflated seed pods (to 5″ long) which turn charcoal black when ripe and have considerable ornamental interest. Seeds rattle around in the blackened pods which were once popularly used by children as rattles. Stems with seed pods are valued additions to dried flower arrangements.
Var. minor appears to differ from the species primarily by being a smaller plant with shorter stems and shorter leaves but larger flowers. Although the species is not a Missouri native, Steyermark maintains that for all practical purposes var. minor and the species are not significantly different. Var. minor is often sold by nurseries as B. australis ‘Minor’ or B. minor.
The genus name Baptisia comes from the Greek word bapto meaning “to dye”.
Specific epithet means southern.
The common name of false indigo refers to the use of certain native baptisias by early American colonists as a substitutes, albeit inferior, for true indigo (genus Indigofera) in making dyes.
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun. Tolerates drought and poor soils. Over time, plants form slowly expanding clumps with deep and extensive root systems, and should not be disturbed once established. May be grown from seed, but takes several years to establish. Plants take on more of a shrubby appearance and tend to open up after bloom. Trimming or shearing foliage to shape after bloom helps maintain rounded plant appearance, but eliminates the developing seed pods which are so attractive.
Hardiness zone | 3 - 8 |
Sun light | Full Sun To Part Shade |
Water | Dry To Medium |
Maintenance | Low |
No serious insect or disease problems. Sensitive to juglone. Tends to perform poorly when planted close to black walnut trees.
Borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, prairies, meadows and native plant gardens. Effective in naturalized settings. Best as specimen or in small groups.
Common name | Blue False Indigo |
Botanical name | Baptisia Australis Var. Minor |
Plant type | Herbaceous Perennial |
Family | Fabaceae |
Hardiness zone | 3 - 8 |
Water | Dry To Medium |
Maintenance | Low |
Flower color | Blue |
Flowering period | May - June |
Height | 1.50 To 2 Ft. |
Width | 1.50 To 2 Ft. |