Baptisia australis – Blue False Indigo (B&B.DR.DRG.H.NB.OP.RR)

Ecosystem Services:
(B)-Birds                                             (B&B)-Birds & Butterflies

(BTF)-Butterflies                             (BW)-Black Walnut Resistant

(DR)-Deer Resistant                      (DRGHT)-Drought Resistant

(EC)-Erosion Control                    (EVR)-Evergreen

(FC)-Fall Color                                 (FRG)-Fragrant

(GRD)-Groundcover                      (H)-Host plant

(HMR)-Hummingbirds                (M)-Mammals

(MTH)-Moths                                   (N)-Nectar

(NB)-Native Bees                            (NST)-Nesting Material

(OP)-Other pollinators                 (RR)-Rabbit Resistant

(SHWY)-Showy                                (SPC)-Specimen Plant

Blue False Indigo is a native herbaceous perennial plant in the bean family (Fabaceae) native to central and eastern North America that grows in forests or natural areas in woodland borders.

This clump-forming plant grows 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide in full sun to part shade, but it best blooms in full sun and in average well-drained soil. Its deep tap root makes it drought-tolerant but difficult to transplant. Prune after flowering if seed pods are not desired and to shape. Propagation is by seeds or stem cuttings.

The bright, indigo-blue flowers and yellow or white flowering perennials are attractive and the foliage stays attractive throughout the season.

This plant was selected as the 1992 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.

Host plant for Orange and Clouded Sulphur Butterfly and others. Utilized by Native Bees. Deer, Rabbit, and Drought Resistant!