About
A garden-worthy perennial, forming a clump to around 1m high, with upright stems bearing leaves divided into three clover-like leaflets. Tall clusters of purple-brown buds opening to yellow flowers are produced in late spring or early summer, followed by dark grey seed pods.
About the genus
Baptisia are perennials with branched stems bearing three-parted leaves and terminal or axillary racemes of pea flowers, followed by conspicuous inflated pods
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Prairie planting, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationThrives in deep, well-drained, preferably sandy soil in an open, sunny position. Plants can be slow to establish, and dislike being disturbed, but mature plants have good drought tolerance
PruningNo pruning required, though plants can be trimmed back after flowering to maintain a compact shape, unless seed pods are required
PropagationPropagate by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings. Hybrid cultivars will not come true from seed
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free