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Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke’ (False Indigo)

False Indigo 'Purple Smoke', Bastard Lupine 'Purple Smoke', False Lupine 'Purple Smoke'

Baptisia Purple Smoke,False Indigo Purple Smoke, Bastard Lupine Purple Smoke, Blue False Indigo, False Lupine Purple Smoke, Purple False Indigo
Baptisia Purple Smoke,False Indigo Purple Smoke, Bastard Lupine Purple Smoke, Blue False Indigo, False Lupine Purple Smoke, Purple False Indigo
Baptisia Purple Smoke,False Indigo Purple Smoke, Bastard Lupine Purple Smoke, Blue False Indigo, False Lupine Purple Smoke, Purple False Indigo

One of the oldest hybrid cultivars of false indigo, Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke’ is an upright, densely branched perennial bearing long spikes of pea-shaped, smoky violet flowers with a purple eye. A mature plant of 3-4 years can bear over 50 blooming stalks! Blooming in mid to late spring, the richly-colored blossoms contrast nicely with the near-black stems. They are held just above a dense, bushy mound of finely textured, gray-green foliage. Amazing showy in bloom, ‘Purple Smoke’ is quite vigorous, so allow space for its development.

  • Spreads by underground rhizomes and typically grows up to 4-5 ft. tall (120-150 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
  • 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 rabbit resistant and rarely bothered by deer as they consider it unpalatable.
  • 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.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 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
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Height 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 48" (120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Salt, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Baptisia bracteata, Plains Wild Indigo, Longbract Wild Indigo, False Indigo, Cream Wild Indigo, Yellow flowers, Cream perennials
Baptisia sphaerocarpa, Bush Pea, Green Wild Indigo, Yellow Wild Indigo, Yellow Wisteria, Baptisia viridis, Yellow flowers, Yellow perennials
Baptisia alba, White Wild Indigo, White Baptisia, White flowers, White perennials
Baptisia Lemon Meringue,False Indigo Lemon Meringue, Bastard Lupine Lemon Meringue, Blue False Indigo, False Lupine Lemon Meringue, Decadence Baptisia, Yellow False Indigo
Baptisia Vanilla Cream,False Indigo Vanilla Cream, Bastard Lupine Vanilla Cream, Blue False Indigo, False Lupine Vanilla Cream, Decadence Baptisia, Yellow False Indigo
Baptisia Dutch Chocolate,False Indigo Dutch Chocolate, Bastard Lupine Dutch Chocolate, Blue False Indigo, False Lupine Dutch Chocolate, Decadence Baptisia, Black False Indigo

Recommended Companion Plants

Paeonia Lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt', Peony 'Sarah Bernhardt', 'Sarah Bernhardt' Peony, White flowers, White Peonies, Pink Flowers, Pink Peonies, Fragrant Peonies
Salvia Nemorosa Caradonna, Salvia Caradonna, Sage Caradonna, award-winning salvia, Balkan Clary Caradonna, Steppe sage Caradonna, Salvia x Sylvestris 'Caradonna'
Geranium Rozanne, Hardy Geranium Rozanne, Crane's Bill Rozanne, Award geranium, AGM Geranium, Best geraniums, Best groundcovers, blue geranium, violet geranium
Alchemilla Mollis, Lady's mantle, AGM perennial, deer tolerant plants, rabbits tolerant plants, award winning perennial
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 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 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
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Height 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 48" (120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Salt, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Baptisia
Not sure which Baptisia to pick?
Compare Now

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