Baptisia leucantha

About

Baptisia leucantha is a species in the genus Baptisia (family Q44448) that flowers from May to July. It offers a seasonal display across late spring and early summer. Plants in this genus are grown for their upright flowering stems and terminal racemes. Allow space for individual specimens to establish without frequent disturbance.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Baptisia alba

About the genus

Baptisia is a genus in the legume family, Fabaceae. They are flowering herbaceous perennial plants with pea-like flowers, followed by pods, which are sometimes inflated. They are native to woodland and grassland in eastern and southern North America.

Wikipedia contributors, "Baptisia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Baptisia

In the garden

Baptisia leucantha sits within the genus Baptisia (family Q44448) and produces its main display between May and July. In cultivation treat it as you would other Baptisia species: choose a position where it can establish with minimal disturbance and where flowering stems are visible. Planting at the correct spacing reduces the need for routine division later on. Soil that drains freely and a spot that receives ample light will suit the genus habit; avoid waterlogged hollows and heavy clay sites that hold winter wet. Once planted do not move specimens repeatedly, as members of this group can resent disturbance while settling root systems. Support is rarely needed when plants are given room to mature. In a UK garden it finds use where vertical summer flowers are required — consider placing it towards the middle or rear of a mixed border or in a naturalistic scheme with grasses and long-flowering perennials. Leave spent flower stems in place through early summer if you wish to collect seed, or cut back after the pods have matured to tidy the clump for the following season.

More in the Baptisia genus

Browse all Baptisia →