| False blue indigo (Baptisia australis) has beautiful blue | | | | growth late, but once established in the garden, it is |
| flowers, attractive leaves and a rugged constitution. | | | | long-lived and not bothered by pests. In addition, it is |
| Even though it is a North American native, this | | | | drought and heat-proof, and that helps it to look good |
| excellent perennial is not very well known, but that | | | | throughout the growing season, even when not in |
| should change for the better after being named the | | | | flower. |
| 2010 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant | | | | The blooming period of false blue indigo lasts about |
| Association. | | | | three weeks in late spring to early summer. After |
| Cultivated since the 1700s, false blue indigo got its | | | | flowering, the plants develop black seed pods, which |
| common name when it was used as a poor substitute | | | | some gardeners deadhead, but which are attractive |
| for indigo blue dye. | | | | enough to leave in place or to use for flower arranging. |
| This plant has a stately garden presence, growing 3 to | | | | To grow well, this perennial needs full sun; in the shade, |
| 5 feet tall. In fact, it looks a bit like a shrub when it is not | | | | it sprawls and falls over; however, in sun it does not |
| in bloom. The blue flower stems grow 12 to 24 inches | | | | require staking. Moist, well-drained fertile soil is ideal, but |
| long and resemble lupines, and the foliage is an | | | | it tolerates most soil types. It roots deeply, so plants |
| attractive blue-green color. | | | | usually take a season or two to get established before |
| Baptisia can be a tough sell at the nursery in spring | | | | growing to mature size. |
| because it is one of those perennials that starts top | | | | |