Perennial Plant Association's 2010 Plant of the Year
Hurray! A stunningly beautiful native plant, Baptisia australis (Blue false indigo), has been named the 2010 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association.
To be eligible for ‘plant of the year’ status, a perennial must be suitable for a wide range of climate types, be low maintenance and have a long season of interest. Baptisia australis certainly fits the bill.
Blue false indigo is native to the central and eastern US and is hardy in zones 3 – 9. It prefers full sun and well-draining, acidic soil. Baptisia has a long taproot making it drought tolerant once established. The taproot also means it does not like to be transplanted so think before you plant it.
Blue false indigo is a great addition to the back of the border. It is deer resistant and also not bothered by insects or diseases. Baptisia is a host plant for several species of butterflies so it’s an ideal addition to any wildlife garden.
No room in your garden for a 3 foot tall blue-flowered perennial? Don’t worry, this native plant has several cultivars which may work in your garden:
- Baptisia x Purple Smoke - a slightly smaller version with lighter purple flowers
- Baptisia Carolina Moonlight – a yellow flowered version
- Baptisia alba – white flowers with charcoal grey stems
- Baptisia Solar Flare – yellow flowers that fade to orange
- Baptisia Twilite Prairieblues - burgundy flowers with yellow highlights
With so many cultivars to choose from, I know you’ll find a Baptisia that is just right for your garden. You, and your butterflies, birds and bees, will not be disappointed.
Hi Debbie, I love this plant. We use it at the senior housing gardens my garden club maintains, where it’s virtually care free, and I also have it in my own garden. The blooms are nice, but I also love the glaucous foliage and striking seed pods. Thanks for the cultivar info – I’d like to find room for a few of them!
Baptisia certainly is a perennial that has more to offer than some pretty flowers. Like you, I currently have the species in my garden and am thinking about adding a cultivar or two.
I have the three-foot purple native and want a few more. How can you not be taken by that color?
I agree. I had one plant and got two others at the plant swap in the fall. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the two new ones will take since I know Baptisia does not like to be transplanted.
Oh, dear. I’ve had an overgrown clump of this for years and thought it would be nice to divide and and put elsewhere. Didn’t know about that taproot. Am guessing my transplants will be dead come spring.
Dawn,
My theory about gardening (goes for life in general too) is nothing ventured, nothing gained. Give it a try but just remember to dig deep to get as much of the tap root as possible and then baby the transplants for th first season and you should be fine. Oh, I forgot to mention – keep your fingers crossed, too!