- Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 3 - 4 Feet
- Mature Spread 3 - 4 Feet
- Growing Zones 3 - 8
Native and easy to grow, Blue Indigo (Baptisia australis) also boasts pretty bluish purple flowers. Although this perennial dies back to the ground each year (don’t be alarmed), it re-emerges in spring and grows back to a robust 3 to 4 feet high and wide, resembling a shrub more than a perennial. The leaves are a smooth green, and in late spring to early summer, their stems support a string of flowers at the end.
Also drought tolerant, this baptisia is a great choice for rock gardens or deep containers. Its color lasts long, from the time it begins to grow each spring until the first frost. Hardy in zones 3 through 8, the plant can handle some hot sun but survive cold winters underground. They’re also disease- and pest-free plant choices. The pretty foliage really shines as a backdrop for shorter perennials that bloom later.
Blue Indigo Care
The plant does not need fertile soil to grow, so select any area that gets lots of sun (at least 6 hours a day). The soil should drain well, however. Be sure to plant it at the same level as in its current container to avoid placing it too deeply in the ground. The only fertilizer you need is a top-dressing of compost or a balanced slow-release fertilizer once in spring as new growth appears.
As flowers fade, you can leave them to enjoy the seed pods they form (these are relatives of peas) or pinch them off. After your Blue Indigo has finished flowering, prune back about one-third of the plant to give it a more attractive shape. Also remove any yellow or dead leaves. As soon as the first fall frost hits, the leaves turn black and die back. But the plant should appear from the soil again in spring.
Blue Indigo Spacing
Blue Indigo starts out as tiny, upright growth, but it can reach nearly 4 feet high and around by the end of summer. Be sure to space the plants at least 3 feet apart.
Blue Indigo Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
Plant Type: |
Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 3 - 4 Feet |
Mature Spread: 3 - 4 Feet |
Spacing: 3 - 4 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Blue, Purple |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Drought, Salt |
Attracts: Butterflies |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Containers, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Native to North America |
Brand: |
Common Name: Blue Indigo |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: BAPTISIA AUSTRALIS |
- SKU:
- 1231000377-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
For more detailed information, please click here.
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Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.