About
A clump-forming, deciduous herbaceous perennial with green leaves on almost black stems and grey-purple pea-like flowers which appear on long, upright stems from April until June. The seed pods and stems provide winter interest if not cut back in the autumn.
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 typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming, Columnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Prairie planting, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in open, porous, preferably sandy soil in full sun; drought resistant once roots have penetrated the soil. Best left undisturbed, although vigorous clumps may be carefully divided in spring
PruningCut down once foliage has blackened. Can leave over winter for stem and seed-pod interest
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe or propagate by division in early spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free