False Indigo

False Indigo (also known as Baptisia) 

Baptisia australis ‘False Indigo’ 

Height: 36in 
Spread: 36in 
Zone: 4-9 
Exposure: Full sun to part shade 
Bloom Time/Color: May-June; purple
Uses: Specimen, massing, prairies 
Maintenance: Low 
Other: Rabbit resistant, cut flower 

False indigo does extremely well in most soil conditions. Trifoliate, blue-green clover-like foliage is seen throughout the growing season and in spring; False Indigo plants are covered in tall, slender towers of purple pea-like flowers. Seed pods mature to a charcoal-black and add great texture to the landscape and to dried flower arrangements. False indigo grows best in average, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade but can tolerate poor, chalky, and droughty soils too. No major insect/disease issues. False indigo has a long tap root and does not like to be moved.  

Baptisia australis is an Iowa native.