Description

Baptisias are upright, bushy perennials with blue-green, clover-like foliage and striking spikes of pea-like individual florets. Flowers are followed by inflated seed pods that turn black with age. Seeds pods were once used as rattles for children. Fun to play with AND ornamental!

Special value to native bees.

Baptisia have a long taproot and good drought tolerance. Grows best in full sun and average to poor, well-drained soil. Baptisia establish by first concentrating on growing their extensive root system, so do not be dismayed if it looks like your plant isn’t growing the initial year – it is, but just underground! Vertical (visible) growth increases in subsequent years.

Height: 3-4 ft.
Spread: 3-4 ft.
Family: Fabaceae
Bloom time: April to May
Sun: full sun to part shade
Water: dry to medium
Deer and rabbit resistant

photo credit: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT