Blue false indigo
Botanical Name: Baptisia australis
Plant Family: Pea (Fabaceae)
Description: A 3-5 ft. perennial with blue-purple flowers spikes opening from bottom to top. Leaves are divided into three leaflets that can turn silver-grey in the fall.
Growing Conditions: Prefers full sun moist, well drained soils. Like all members of the pea family, this plant needs microorganisms in the root system to produce nitrogen compounds.
Bloom Time: June - July
Bloom Color: Blue
Benefit to pollinators/wildlife: Special value to native and bumble bees.
Native Status: Native to PA.
Location in habitat: Pollinator Demonstration Garden