Blue Wild Indigo
Wild blue indigo is a beautiful perennial flower both in and out of bloom.
It grows as an upright, vase-shaped plant with pretty green oval leaflets. In early summer, spikes of indigo-blue flowers grow above the leaves.
The flowers mature into attractive black seedpods. The fall leaf color is yellow, providing interest in the fall.
This is a nice plant that does well in our area. It has a beautiful shape, striking flowers, and attractive leaves. Wild blue indigo was chosen as the Perennial Plant Association's 2010 Perennial Plant of the Year.
Blue Wild Indigo
Wild blue indigo is a beautiful perennial flower both in and out of bloom.
It grows as an upright, vase-shaped plant with pretty green oval leaflets. In early summer, spikes of indigo-blue flowers grow above the leaves.
The flowers mature into attractive black seedpods. The fall leaf color is yellow, providing interest in the fall.
This is a nice plant that does well in our area. It has a beautiful shape, striking flowers, and attractive leaves. Wild blue indigo was chosen as the Perennial Plant Association's 2010 Perennial Plant of the Year.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Baptisia australis
Pronunciation
bap-TIS-ee-uh aw-STRAL-iss
Mature Height
3 to 4 ft.
Mature Spread
2 to 3 ft.
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
blue, indigo
Bloom time
early summer
Colorado Native
No
Natural Habitat
eastern United States
Light Requirements
sun, part shade
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 3-9
Elevation Limit
hardy to 7,500 ft.
Performance
Wild blue indigo grows very well at the Water Wise Demonstration Garden. It has survived in areas where it received no water, but has performed best in the low water hydrozone, which is watered once per week, on average.
It produces some seedlings each year, but they are easily pulled out when small. Definitely worth considering.
Maintenance
Cut the plant to ground level in late winter or early spring.
If the seedpods are left on the plant, seedlings may germinate the following year if they drop on bare soil. To prevent excessive seedlings, make sure the mulch layer is thick enough (3-4 inches deep).