The Cycle of the Blue False Indigo Plant

The Blue False Indigo Plant

This is to document the growth of this plant. The photo above shows how it appears early in June.

The blue false indigo, Baptisia australis, has been one of the most reliable and beautiful herbaceous perennials of them all. The leaves are unique and handsome, the flowers are purplish blue with a touch of gray.

This photo shows the early blooms starting on the branches. This flower is one of my favorites in the garden.

I first saw it in the garden of a woman in a village in Massachusetts. She was showing us around her English style cottage garden when I spied the Blue Indigo plant. She was offering some of her plants for sale and I asked her if I could have this one. She refused, saying that she loved it so.

The woman finally agreed to let me have the plant. This was at least 15 years ago and I have been taking it with me whenever I move. So it is now in the center of my front garden in Western New York and has weathered the harsh winter very well.

Here it is in full bloom

The plants attract bumblebees. The Baptisia is deep rooted, long lived, slow growing, and will never invade the garden. The foliage is remarkably pest free and disease resistant.

Now we are blooming in the month of July and the plant is still doing very well.

Plant it all by itself in the garden so its special appeal can best be appreciated. Isn't it beautiful?

I have this one planted in the center of the lawn in the front garden. Passersby often stop to admire it and ask me what is it's name.

In early August the seed pods are starting to turn into these wonderful light green velvety pods.

A native of the south central and eastern United States, this plant will grow in zones 3 – 9 However, it prefers full sun and moist, rich soil.

The blue false indigo plant features indigo colored flowers that in form resemble the lupine and annual sweet pea, but are not fragrant.

At maturity the seed pods become jet black and can be used in flower arrangements.

The seeds will feed the birds in winter and the seeds can also be planted for new blooms.

So there you have the cycle of life of the Blue Indigo. They are beautiful at each cycle of growth.

Now it is the month of September and the season's cycle is coming to an end.

How wonderful it has been to watch Nature's gift to us.