False Indigo, Indigo Spires

Indigo Spires False Indigo (also known as Baptisia) 

Baptisia australis ‘Indigo Spires’ 

Height: 3.5-4ft 
Spread: 3.5ft 
Zone: 4-9 
Exposure: Full sun to part shade 
Bloom Time/Color: May-June; purple shades
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; 'Indigo Spires’ plants are covered in tall, slender towers of dark purple pea-like flowers with yellow keels. 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.

**Photos courtesy of Walters Gardens**