Illustration of Baptisia alba in Curtis's Botanical Magazine (1809). [Public Domain]
Genus: Baptisia
Common Names: wild indigo, false indigo
Description coming soon.
Distribution: woodland and grassland habitats from Eastern Canada to the Southern U.S.
Our Selection
Baptisia alba var. macrophylla
Common name(s): white wild indigo, white false indigo
Description: perennial; an herb used by many first nations peoples and early settlers to make blue dye before true indigo was commonly available. Baptisia alba is found in open woodlands and grasslands in central and eastern North America. Long lupine-like spikes of white flowers in late spring that become decorative seed pods by late summer. Incredibly drought-tolerant and cold hardy; a very low-maintenance perennial.
Height: to 4 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.
Baptisia australis
Common name(s): blue wild indigo, blue false indigo
Description: perennial; an herb used by many first nations peoples and early settlers to make blue dye before true indigo was commonly available. Baptisia australis is found in open woodlands and grasslands in central and eastern North America. Long lupine-like spikes of blue-purple flowers in late spring that become decorative seed pods by late summer. Incredibly drought-tolerant and cold hardy; a very low-maintenance perennial.
Height: to 4 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.