Blue False Indigo

Baptisia australis (Blue False Indigo) is an erect-growing, very long-lived native legume that grows to 5 ft. We have production fields transplanted in 1999 that are thriving today. This bushy perennial puts energy into developing its root system for the first few growing seasons and will not bloom. Blue False Indigo blooms in late spring/early summer with deep purple pea-like flowers. Seed pods of Baptisia australis are erect on the stem and about 2.5 in. long. At one time, children used the ripe seedheads as rattles. Blue False Indigo is native from Texas to Georgia and Iowa to Pennsylvania. It is found in open woods, along riverbanks, and on sandy floodplains. Baptisia australis is drought tolerant and deer resistant. We have observed a Blue False Indigo planting that looked very attractive when pruned like a boxwood hedge. Baptisia australis is a nice addition in partial shade to full sun pollinator-friendly meadow mixes. Bumblebees are one of the pollinators of Blue False Indigo. Individual seed lots of Baptisia australis can have high seed dormancy levels. To break dormancy for transplant production, we recommend scarifying the seeds by placing a sheet of 220-grain sandpaper on a cookie sheet and an 80-grain sandpaper on a sanding block. Use the sanding block to rub the Blue False Indigo seed with sufficient pressure to split up to 2% of the seed. Baptisia australis seedlings are easily recognized. They are erect with trifoliate leaves in alternate positions on the stem and larger leaves than those of Baptisia tinctoria (Yellow False Indigo). Blue False Indigo is a member of the pea (Fabaceae) family. Baptisia comes from the Greek word “bapto”, which means to dye. The species name australis means southern.