Blue Wild Indigo is a legume with roots that undergo nitrogen fixation and can be very long-lived. The blue flowers resemble those of lupines and attract bumble bees and other pollinators. It is native to the eastern U.S. and Ontario, Canada. Recommended for the home garden as well meadow plantings and pollinator gardens. Plants have deep and extensive root systems, making them good additions to bioswales. Recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for reliable performance in the garden.

Though slow to establish, these brilliant blue and purple blossoms are worth the wait. The bushy perennial can persist for decades and is a source for indigo dye.

Blue Wild Indigo grows in sandy, dry areas or open woods; its deep tap root gives it protection from the drought and prairie fires of its native ground. Native Americans and early settlers once used various species of this plant family to make a blue dye, since the superior true indigo dye was expensive and not easily obtained. As a member of the nitrogen-fixing legume family, indigo makes an excellent choice for soil that needs replenishment of its nutrients. The genus name "baptisia" comes from a Greek word meaning "to dye."

• SCIENTIFIC NAME: Baptisia australis
• COLOR(S): Blue
• SEED TYPE: Perennial
• SUN: Full Sun, Partial Shade
• MOISTURE: Dry, Moderate
• HEIGHT (IN.): 36-48
• BLOOM PERIOD: Spring, Summer
• USDA HARDINESS ZONE(S): 3-9

Growing: This plant tolerates clay, gravel, and sand and can also thrive in poor soil. It tolerates drought well, but it also benefits from occasional watering. Though long-lived, the plants develop slowly and may not flower until their second or third season. The foliage may be pruned for neat growth after blooming, though this will prevent the development of the seed pods. The plant will go dormant over winter, and can be cut down to 6" after the foliage dies. Eventually, the plants will spread by rhizomes. White Wild Indigo is a host plant for the Indigo Dusky Wing and Zarucco Dusky Wing butterflies, though the foliage can be fatal to grazing animals.

Harvesting: The foliage and seed pods of this flower both dry well and make attractive additions to dried flower arrangements.

Companions: Baptisias bloom along with Siberian Irises and Peonies in late spring to early summer. Their attractive foliage makes them an asset even when they are not in flower.

Reflowering: Baptisias flower once in late spring and will not reflower if deadheaded, a practice which will also prevent the development of the attractive seedpods. Plants do look their best if cut back by one-third after flowering and shaped; this will eliminate any late-season floppiness.

Dividing/Transplanting: These shrub-like plants are relatively slow growing and division is not needed for ten years or so. Because of deep taproots, transplanting is difficult but can be done successfully with careful efforts, especially while plants are still small.

End-of-Season Care: The lovely foliage of Baptisia turns black with the first hard frost and the plants fall over by January, so cutting back close to the ground in late autumn during general cleanup is beneficial.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:

• Fall Sowing: Plant seed 0.64 cm (1/4 inch) deep in a prepared seed bed in late fall so that the seed overwinters and germinates naturally in spring.
• Spring Sowing: The species is easily started from seed, although the seed needs a minimum of 4 weeks of cold stratification or scarification for best germination.
• Sowing: Since this plant does not transplant well, it should be direct sown. The seed will need to be scarified; to accomplish this, pour 150 degrees F water over the seed and let it soak overnight the day before planting. In late fall, plant the blue wild indigo seeds 1/2" deep.