top of page
Tall Blue Wild Indigo, Streamside Wild Indigo

Upright perennial which typically occurs in rich woods, thickets and along streambanks. Flowers give way to inflated seed pods (to 2.5" long) which turn charcoal black when ripe and have considerable ornamental interest. 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 develop 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 after bloom helps maintain rounded plant appearance and obviates a possible need for staking, but eliminates the developing seed pods which are so attractive.

Wikimedia Commons | Plant: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Moth: Jacy Lucier

Larval Host for the

Wild Indigo Duskywing

3-4'

3-4'

SIZE

SOIL

Average, Dry, Medium, Well-Drained

LIGHT

Sun, Part Shade

BENEFITS

Butterfiles, Bees

NOTES

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

CHARACTERISTICS

Low Maintenance, Showy, Interesting Seed Pods

May, June

Flower

This 

flowers in

Blue False Indigo

Baptisia australis

DETAIL VIEW

DESCRIPTION

Upright perennial which typically occurs in rich woods, thickets and along streambanks. Flowers give way to inflated seed pods (to 2.5" long) which turn charcoal black when ripe and have considerable ornamental interest. 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 develop 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 after bloom helps maintain rounded plant appearance and obviates a possible need for staking, but eliminates the developing seed pods which are so attractive.

Wikimedia Commons | Plant: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Moth: Jacy Lucier
bottom of page