Baptisia x Bicolor ‘Starlite’ (False Indigo)

Among the first False Indigo to bloom, Baptisia x bicolor ‘Starlite’ is a charming, upright perennial bearing a profusion of bicolored flower spikes. Opening from deep violet-lavender buds in late spring, the pea-shaped flowers unfurl into attractive periwinkle-blue blooms with contrasting creamy keels. Borne on gracefully arching branches, they last for weeks and attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. When the flowers fade away, the lovely blue-green foliage, which forms a beautiful vase-shaped shrub, remains neat all season and creates a lovely backdrop for the other perennials in the garden. If left untrimmed, the plant forms interesting seedpods turning charcoal-black in the fall and persisting into winter. Bred at the Chicago Botanic Garden, this hybrid Baptisia is vigorous, tough, long-lived, and enjoys a long season of interest.

• 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 3 ft. tall (90 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
• Its requirements are fairly simple: Full sun in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Although it will grow in some shade, this plant tends to become leggy and may require staking. Tolerates poor soils and drought. Do not disturb once established as it develops a deep taproot that is easily damaged if you try to transplant it.
• Attracts scores of butterflies and hummingbirds. Baptisia is rarely bothered by deer as they consider it unpalatable and is rabbit resistant
• Looks stunning in beds and borders, cottage gardens, prairies or meadows, and native plant gardens. Great as a specimen plant or in small groups.
• 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.