False Indigo

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Location

Houston and Grossman Ponds, Urban Tree Collection

Source of plant

Klehm's Song Sparrow Perennial Farm, Avant Gardens

Description

Plant possesses a distinct vase-shaped habit in youth, with a wider head of foliage as it matures. Produces fewer stems to a plant than more vigorous Baptisia, such as B. australis and B. ‘Twilite’, which helps accommodate it in a smaller landscape. The primary stems are strongly erect and hold the primary inflorescences well above the foliage. The upper branches divide and produce shorter inflorescences, extending the bloom season. The strong stems hold up well to summer storms. The dark violet-blue flowers are borne in profusion on the 24" long primary inflorescences. The shorter secondaryinflorescences come into bloom as the primary inflorescences are finishing up, extending this selection’s bloom season to three to four weeks, longer than most Baptisia. The fine textured foliage remains an attractive green all season until the first hard freeze of autumn.

USDA Hardiness Zone

4

Special characteristics

growth habit