![]() ![]() If fresh seed is unavailable, how to plant Baptisia seed becomes a little more complicated. These seeds can be sown directly, planting them a quarter-inch (0.5 cm.) deep, and will usually germinate in about two weeks. Check the seeds for tiny holes – there’s a tiny weevil that attacks the seeds but not the plant – and discard any that are damaged. If you know someone who already grows false indigo flowers in their garden, don’t hesitate to ask for a few seed pods just as the pods begin to split. When offering advice on how to plant Baptisia, most authorities will recommend seed and this is, in fact, the most common method of propagation, but what they don’t mention is that fresh seed is best and most reliable for germination. These prairie darlings are host plants for several species of butterfly. Care should be taken to leave them undisturbed. Alkaloids produced in the species are toxic to many insects, which leads us to the third of our false indigo growing tips and concerns the occasional caterpillar found crawling along the leaves of this plant. For organic gardeners, these plants are gems. They like a yearly dose of general garden fertilizer and are bothered by very few pests or diseases. Others like the look of the dark pods and leave them as contrast in the garden.īeyond the first few years, Baptisia plant care requires very little from the gardener. No pruning is necessary, though some gardeners prefer to remove the dark seed pods as part of their Baptisia plant care regimen. When deciding how to plant baptisia for the best effect, remember that some garden plantings of these hardy perennials have been known to last for decades.īaptisia plants need plenty of sun and once established, are extremely drought tolerant. Their roots can grow up to 12 feet (3.5 meters) deep and a single clump can expand to 3 or 4 feet (1 m.) wide. Once planted, Baptisia plants don’t like to be moved. The second of our false indigo growing tips would be to choose your site carefully. It can take up to three years for your seeds or seedlings to produce flowers. Like many prairie plants, Baptisia takes some time to establish its deep root system before taking off, so the first of false indigos growing tips would be to have patience. ![]() A fully mature plant can produce a hundred of these glorious spikes. Each of these racemes is covered with flowers and will bloom for about six weeks in spring or early summer. ![]() Leaves are trifoliate (three leaflets) and range in color from dark blue-green to light yellow-green and can become so dense as to give the plant a shrub-like appearance.įully mature plants can grow two and a half to three (0.5 to 1 m.) feet tall and produce racemes or flower spikes adding another 12 to 24 inches (30.5-61 cm.) to their height. Native to the prairies of southern North America, Baptisia plants grow well in almost any well-drained soil in USDA planting zones 5-9. There are also several hybrid cultivars on the market today. Members of the Fabaceae or pea family, false indigo flowers’ distinctive pea-like blossoms also come in white ( Baptisia alba) and yellow ( Baptisia tinctoria) as well as the more widely known blue ( Baptisia australis). Also known as false indigo, the flowers were once used by Native Americans and early European settlers as a dye before true indigo became available. If you’re looking for a striking perennial that needs minimum care to produce maximum results, take a good look at Baptisia plants. ![]()
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