Pests: Plants are relatively pest resistant if cultural preferences are met. Cut it back to around 6 inches from the ground in early spring before the new growth starts. Leave the spent flowers on the plant throughout the winter as birds enjoy eating the seeds. After that, only water if the plant starts looking droopy. Transplanting is difficult due to its deep taproot system 3, 4. Australis Baptisia Plant Care Instructions: Keep the plant well-watered for the first 4-5 weeks. ![]() Dead stems should be cut within 18” of the ground in late fall 2. Do not allow mulch to touch the plant stems 18. ![]() Modify water recommendations to reflect site drainage and rainfall. Keep soil moist until plant is established, then apply enough water to thoroughly moisten the root zone when the soil is dry or during drought. At planting, water the roots and surrounding area slowly and deeply. Siting: Baptisia australis grows best in moist, well-drained soil and in full sun conditions. Baptisia australis also serves as a host plant for many butterfly species. 16 Features: Blue false indigo features striking blue and violet flowers along tall, upright stalks in late spring followed by interesting black seed pods 3. See what happens… You only have the price of the plant to lose.Latin name: Baptisia australis Common name: Blue false indigo Flowers: Blue to violet flowers bloom along 10-12” long, upright stalks 3, 12 Fruit: Two to 2.5” black pods follow flowering period 3, 12 Height & Width: 3-4’ x 4’ 3 Type: Herbaceous perennial 12 Habit: Upright 12 Wetland indicator category**: Not available 17 Texture: Medium 4 Growth rate: Medium 4 Light: Full sun to part shade 4, 12 Moisture: Medium 3, 10 Soil*: Tolerates clay, shallow, rocky soil Acidic (pH<6.8), Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2) 10, 12 Zones: 3-8 3 Origin: Midwestern to Southeastern United States, including South Carolina. However, if it does develop a tap root, you would need to leave the pot in place without disturbing it. As long as the plant does not grow a tap root, you can move it to shelter for the winter. But if you want to try it, fill the container with a well drained growing medium and plant a pot of blue false indigo. So, to answer your question, Baptisia australis is probably not the right plant for this place. The tap root nature of the plant is another reason for not using plastic jugs as a volume filler. It features purple, lupine-like flowers in erect racemes (to 12') atop flower spikes extending well above a foliage mound. How much sun will it actually receive? With the tap root propensity, my guess is that the plant will send roots out of the drainage hole in the container and find the soil around the tree stump to send down its tap root. 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. So my concerns are This location looks like it gets at least some dappled shade. It is drought tolerant because it can send a tap root 7 feet deep into the soil! Baptisia australis likes full sun, a well drained soil and does not like having its roots disturbed. ![]() Then I looked into the blue false indigo because it is not a plant I have grown. When it comes to growing plants in containers, “soil volume is king.” Here is an explanation of overwintering container grown perennials: Īs far as plastic jugs used to take up space in the container, I would use only container growing medium and no space fillers. The brown-belted bumblebee is a common bee that is attracted to the pollen and nectar of a wide variety of plants. Part of our Pollinator Buffet plant tag series. Foliage is blue-green and growth habit is shrub-like. If you leave the container in this location, you could use straw bales or bags of leaves surrounding the container to insulate it. Seeds in black pods often rattle in the wind. This plant got its name because it was used as a substitute for Indigo to create dyes. It grows as shrubs or herbs to between 3-5 ft tall with spreading branches of 3-4 ft, and should therefore be planted 24-30 inches apart. Container grown perennials can be stored in an unheated garage, heeled into soil or placed out of the sun and out of winds and protected by leaves or pine boughs. False Indigo (Baptisa australis) Blue False Indigo, Blue Wild Indigo Perennial False Indigo grows best between zones 3-9. The baptisia is an upright growing perennial that looks like a small flowering shrub. Named the Perennial Plant of the Year for 2010, the blue lupine like flowers bloom approximately 3 to 4 weeks in the spring. The blue flowers of the Blue Wild Indigo are long lasting. If you leave the plant in this location all winter without protection, it will likely see excessive freeze thaw cycles. Baptisia australis or Blue False Indigo is an adaptable native perennial. ![]() My first thought was about protecting container grown perennials through winter.
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