Baptisia

Baptisia, also referred to as false indigo or wild indigo, comprises roughly 20 species of herbaceous perennials within the Fabaceae (legume) family, indigenous to North America. Valued in horticulture, these plants are admired for their striking foliage, vivid blossoms, and positive ecological impact.

Baptisia generally reach heights and widths of 2 to 4 feet, exhibiting a bushy, upright growth form. Their trifoliate leaves often display a distinctive blue-green coloration. Flowering occurs from late spring to early summer, with spikes of pea-like blossoms in shades ranging from blue, purple, and white—common in Baptisia australis—to yellow, as seen in Baptisia tinctoria. These blooms are succeeded by ornamental seed pods that darken to black upon maturity, providing visual interest through fall and winter.