PerennialsBaptisia australis
Blue Wild Indigo
Blue wild indigo is a stately, long-lived perennial with blue-green trifoliate leaves and striking racemes of indigo-blue, lupin-like flowers in May and June. After flowering, decorative inflated dark seed pods appear that remain attractive into winter. The plant forms a sturdy, shrub-like clump that grows larger and more impressive each year.
Characteristics
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Height
- 90–120 cm
- Spread
- 60–90 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 3–9
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Evergreen
- No
- Flower colors
- blue
- Wildlife value
- bees, butterflies
Bloom period
Care guide
Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Once established, the plant is very drought-tolerant thanks to a deep root system. Do not transplant — the long taproot makes this virtually impossible. No feeding needed; as a legume, the plant fixes its own nitrogen.
Pruning tips
Leave the decorative seed pods in place through winter for garden interest. Cut dead foliage at the base in late autumn or early spring. The plant needs no further pruning and grows compactly without staking.
Good companions
PerennialsEchinacea purpurea
Purple Coneflower
Purple Coneflower is a sturdy perennial with distinctive pink-purple petals surrounding an orange-brown cone. The flowers appear from July to September and are a magnet for butterflies and bees. In autumn and winter, the seed heads attract goldfinches and other seed-eating birds.
PerennialsAmsonia tabernaemontana
Eastern Bluestar
Eastern bluestar is an elegant, low-maintenance perennial with willow-like leaves and ice-blue, star-shaped flowers in loose clusters in May and June. The narrow foliage turns a stunning golden yellow in autumn, making the plant decorative across two seasons. Over the years it forms a sturdy, vase-shaped silhouette.
PerennialsPenstemon digitalis
Foxglove Beardtongue
Foxglove beardtongue is a graceful North American native perennial with striking clusters of white, tubular flowers on elegant upright stems in June and July. The blooms attract a wide range of pollinators. The dark green foliage often has a reddish flush, especially in spring. An excellent choice for naturalistic plantings and prairie gardens.