Description

Baptisias are upright, bushy perennials with blue-green, clover-like foliage. Flowers are in spikes, and individual florets are pea-like. Flowers are followed by inflated seed pods that turn black with age. Seeds rattle around in the blackened pods which were once used as rattles for children. Fun to play with and ornamental! Baptisia bracteata is an early bloomer with creamy white flowers that are attractive to bumbles, and provides essential nutrients to emerging queen bumblebees. Baptisia have a long taproot and good drought tolerance. They are long-lived plants. Grows best in full sun and average to poor, well-drained soil. Flowers are more attractive when the plant is grown on a drier site. Special value to native bees. Height: 2-2.5 ft. Spread: 2-2.5 ft. Family: Fabaceae Bloom time: May to June Sun: full sun to part shade Water: dry to medium Deer and rabbit resistant photo credit: Cardno