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Blue Indigo

Baptisia australis

Ball-shaped plant can be used as a shrub; indigos host the wild indigo dusky wing butterflies

 

$3.00$137.00

For quantity discount pricing, request a quote.

Description

Baptisia australis, commonly known as Blue False Indigo or Wild Blue Indigo, is a native perennial legume. It blooms in spring and can grow to a height of 3 feet. On glades, it is usually much shorter.

Wildlife notes

Queen bumblebees are the primary pollinators of the flowers, where they feed on nectar primarily. Other insects feed destructively on the leaves, developing seeds, and other parts of Blue Wild Indigo.

Forage notes

Livestock tend to avoid this plant’s rather toxic leaves.

Landscaping notes

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun. Tolerates drought and poor soils. Plants should not be disturbed once established. The showy seed pods are valued additions to dried flower arrangements. This is a popular garden plant for its flowers, interesting foliage, and ornamental seedpods (which are toxic to eat, so take care with children).

Restoration notes

This plant occurs in limestone and dolomite glades, rocky prairies, and fields.

This plant is commonly used in the following mixes: 

Dry’n Rocky Mix

Videos About This Plant

To learn more about this plant, check out our videos about it and its uses.

Dry’n Rocky Mix

Additional information

Weight N/A
Unit

Packet, Ounce, Pound

Light

Full Sun

Seeding Rate

15 bulk lbs/acre

Soils

Dry, Average, Moist

Height

25"-36"

Bloom Month

May

Color

Purple

Specialty Uses

Butterfly, Hummingbird, Landscaping

Cattle Palatability

Fair, Poor

What is PLS?

Pure Live Seed (PLS) is the portion of good viable seed per pound. It is a measure of the seed that is alive and able to sprout into plants. This product is sold by PLS ounce/pound. To provide one ounce/pound of viable seed, you will receive more than one ounce/pound of product. Read more about PLS here.