Mertensia virginica en masse. — Mertensia virginica en masse. Photo © Mary Free

Baptisia australis (Blue Wild Indigo)

Glabrous stem and calyxes of native Baptisia australis (blue wild indigo)

Baptisia australis (Blue Wild Indigo) flowers in May. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2017-05-15, Glencarlyn Library Community Garden.

Baptisia australis (Blue Wild Indigo) flowers in May. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2017-05-15, Glencarlyn Library Community Garden.

Baptisia tinctoria and B. australis (yellow and blue wild indigo) in May

Peck's skipper butterfly feeding on the flowers of Baptisia australis (Blue Wild Indigo). Photo © Mary Free, 2015-05-18, Sunny Garden, Bon Air Park.

Baptisia australis (Blue Wild Indigo) seed pod details in June. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2015-06-16, Pollinator Garden opposite Gulf Branch Nature Center.

Baptisia australis (wild blue indigo) seedpods in July Photo © Mary Free

Legumes dehisce along two sutures from top to bottom as illustrated by Baptisia australis (Blue Wild Indigo)

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Baptisia australis Blue Wild Indigo Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic This prized garden plant with attractive gray-green foliage produces beautiful racemes of indigo blue flowers followed by blue-black seed pods (legumes). Although Baptisia is native to NoVA (except for Prince William County), it is rare in the Mid-Atlantic Region, confined mostly to the mountains and Piedmont. Perennial Flowers En Masse and Close-up and Fruit Height: 3–5 feet Spread: 3–4 feet Bloom Color: Blue Characteristics Upright, bushy clump Multiple light green stems with gray-green foliage Erect, terminal racemes in May and June Green seed pods (legumes) mature to yellow to blue-black (attractive in dried arrangements) Attributes Tolerates clay soil, dry soil, shallow-rocky soil, erosion, and drought; intolerant of soggy winter soil No serious pests or diseases; deer rarely severely damage; tolerates rabbits Doesn’t transplant easily but is long-lived Attracts bumble bees; larval host for some lepidoptera Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Space young plants about 3 feet apart Trim after bloom to avert need to stake (this also will prevent formation of attractive seed pods) Use as specimen or in small groups in back of border, meadow garden or native plant garden Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9 Excellent Replacement for Coronilla varia - Crown Vetch Digitalis purpurea - Foxglove Lythrum salicaria - Purple Loosestrife developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Mary Free (top, bottom), Sunny Garden and Elaine Mills (middle), Pollinator Garden (near Gulf Branch Nature Center)

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Baptisia australis (Blue Wild Indigo)

This prized garden plant with attractive gray-green foliage produces beautiful racemes of indigo blue flowers followed by blue-black seed pods (legumes). Although Baptisia is native to NoVA (except for Prince William County), it is rare in the Mid-Atlantic Region, confined mostly to the mountains and Piedmont.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants:
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets

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