- 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.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
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