Baptisia bracteata (Cream Wild Indigo)
Plains Wild Indigo, Longbract Wild Indigo, False Indigo, Cream Wild Indigo
One of the earliest plants to bloom in the prairie, Baptisia bracteata (Cream Wild Indigo) is an upright perennial with arching, almost weeping stems clad with alternate, trifoliate leaves. From late spring to early summer, it boasts long spikes of pea-shaped, creamy white flowers, resembling Lupines. They last for about three weeks and are visited by numerous bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and skippers. When the flowers fade away, the lovely gray-green, trifoliate leaves remain neat and form a lovely backdrop for the other perennials in the garden. If left untrimmed, the plant forms interesting inflated seedpods turning deep black in the fall. They often remain attached to the naked winter stems and are valued additions to dried flower arrangements. Looking good with almost everything, Cream Wild Indigo prefers open areas where there is reduced competition from taller vegetation. It makes a striking specimen for the small garden where an easy-to-grow, long-lived plant is desired.
- Grows up to 24-30 in. tall and wide (60-120 cm).
- Performs best in full sun in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Tolerates partial shade, but full sun is preferred. Tolerates poor soils and drought. No supplemental water is needed once established.
- Do not disturb once established as it develops a deep taproot that is easily damaged if you try to transplant it.
- Looks stunning in beds and borders, cottage gardens, prairies or meadows, and native plant gardens. Great as a specimen plant or in small groups.
- No serious pest or disease issues.
- Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame.
- The plant is potentially toxic.
- Native to the central and eastern United States.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 9 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Baptisia - False Indigo |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 30" – 36" (75cm – 90cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Photos courtesy of 123rf, Missouri Botanical Garden
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.
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 9 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Baptisia - False Indigo |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 30" – 36" (75cm – 90cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |