What does false indigo look like?
False Indigo has an upright, shrubby form with trifoliate blue-green leaves and pea-like blossoms. It offers a long season of interest, with colorful flower spikes, unusual seed pods, and foliage that is almost never bothered by pests or disease.
Does false indigo need to be cut back?
No pruning is necessary, though some gardeners prefer to remove the dark seed pods as part of their Baptisia plant care regimen. Others like the look of the dark pods and leave them as contrast in the garden.
How tall do blue false indigo get?
3-4 feet tall
Blue false indigo in a prairie in summer. The long-lived plants grow in bushy clumps 3-4 feet tall and wide when mature. The trifoliate leaves are a soft blue-green, alternate and obovate in shape (rounded but wider towards the apex).
Should I cut back Baptisia?
Cutting back Baptisia is not necessary, but if you like to maintain a perfectly manicured landscape, there are three instances that it might be suitable to prune the plant. Baptisia will die back to the ground in most regions, so clean up pruning in fall is not necessary.
Can I move Baptisia?
Baptisia loves the heat and recovers quickly when transplanted in the spring, once the soil has warmed up. They can be moved in the fall, but they will not produce many new roots at that time of year and there is more of a risk of it rotting over the winter.
Why is my Baptisia flopping?
Unfortunately, this unique feature is often missed because the weight of the seedpods causes the plant to flop. To rectify this issue, use peony cages to keep the stems supported and upright. Position the cage over the crown of the plant in early spring.
What is the difference between false indigo and Indigo?
Blue denim was originally dyed with Indigo dye. But when settlers arrived in the New World, they found the locals dyeing things blue with a different plant, and called it “false indigo.” It wasn’t as effective as true indigo for dyeing clothes, but it was better than nothing.
When does Baptisia bracteata start to bloom?
Baptisia bracteata: Long-bract wild indigo or cream false indigo is the first Baptisia species to bloom, beginning in early March to early April depending on location. Compact plants grow 18 to 24 inches tall with low arching stems forming a wide mound. Stems end in long sprays of pale yellow flowers.
How did the false indigo plant get its name?
Baptisia australis (blue false indigo) in bloom shows the appeal of these plants. Baptisias, also known as false or wild indigos ( Baptisia spp.), are a group of large, long-lived perennials. They provide an extended season of interest from flowers and foliage. The botanical name Baptisia originates from the Greek word bapto, to dip or to dye.
Where does the botanical name Baptisia come from?
The botanical name Baptisia originates from the Greek word bapto, to dip or to dye. Blue false indigo ( Baptisia australis) and yellow wild indigo ( Baptisia tinctoria) were used to produce a blue dye by both Native Americans and settlers before the introduction of the better quality true indigo ( Indigofera tinctoria ).
When do indigo Baptisia flowers start to bloom?
The flowers are bright indigo blue, held in upright racemes above the foliage. Bloom time is typically mid to late April in the Piedmont and lasts for up to 6 weeks. Foliage is attractive, blue-green with a waxy texture. This species prefers well-drained but moderately moist soil and full sun or light shade.