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Baptisia australis var. minor (False Indigo)

Dwarf False Indigo, Blue Wild Indigo, Dwarf Blue Indigo, Baptisia minor, Baptisia texana, Baptisia vespertina

Award General
Baptisia Australis var. Minor, Dwarf False Indigo, Blue Wild Indigo, Baptisia minor, Baptisia texana, Baptisia vespertina, Dwarf Blue Indigo, blue flowers, blue perennials

Tough and durable, Baptisia australis var. minor (False Indigo) is a compact, upright perennial with a long season of interest. In spring, this native to the North American prairies bears spikes of pea-shaped indigo blue flowers, resembling Lupines. They last for about three weeks and attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. When the flowers fade away, the lovely blue-green, trifoliate leaves which form a beautiful vase-shaped shrub, remain neat and form a lovely backdrop for the other perennials in the garden. If left untrimmed, the plant forms very decorative seedpods that turn deep black in the fall and persist into winter, adding incredible winter interest to the landscape. They are also valued in dried flower arrangements. Baptisia australis var. minor differs from the species, Baptisia Australis, by being more compact but with larger flowers.

  • Winner of the GreatPlants award, which is a joint effort between the Nebraska Nursery, Landscape Association, and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.
  • Blooming in late spring to early summer, it is an extremely valuable addition to the garden and its seedpods help create lovely winter decorations.
  • Spreads by underground rhizomes and typically grows up to 18-24 in. tall and wide (45-60 cm).
  • Its requirements are fairly simple: Full sun in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including poor soils, dry soils, or clay soils. Do not disturb once established as it develops a deep taproot that is easily damaged if you try to transplant it. Drought tolerant too!
  • Baptisia is rarely bothered by deer as they consider it unpalatable and is rabbit resistant
  • Attracts scores of butterflies and hummingbirds
  • Not susceptible to pest damage or disease
  • Looks stunning in beds and borders, cottage gardens, prairies or meadows, and native plant gardens. Great as a specimen plant or in small groups. Perfect for small gardens!
  • Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as the seed is ripe or propagate by division in early spring.
  • Trimming foliage after bloom helps maintain a rounded plant appearance, but you will miss out on the attractive seed pods which are great to use in dried flower arrangements.
  • Native to the United States.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Leguminosae
Genus Baptisia
Common names Blue False Indigo, False Indigo
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Winter
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Baptisia bracteata (Cream Wild Indigo)
Baptisia sphaerocarpa (Yellow Wild Indigo)
Baptisia alba (White Wild Indigo)
Baptisia ‘Vanilla Cream’ (False Indigo)
Baptisia ‘Pink Lemonade’ (False Indigo)
Baptisia ‘Lemon Meringue’ (False Indigo)

Recommended Companion Plants

Verbascum chaixii ‘Album’ (Nettle-Leaved Mullein)
Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ (Cranesbill)
Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus (Byzantine Gladiolus)
Allium cristophii (Star of Persia)
Campanula glomerata (Clustered Bellflower)
Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed)
Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox)
Papaver orientale (Oriental Poppy)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Leguminosae
Genus Baptisia
Common names Blue False Indigo, False Indigo
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Winter
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Baptisia (False Indigo)
Not sure which Baptisia (False Indigo) to pick?
Compare Now

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