Baptisia alba
white false indigo
An herbaceous perennial with grey-green foliage with three-parted leaves, and dark purple stems which turn blackish. Tall spikes of clear white flowers appear in the summer followed by black seed pods
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Black Purple | White | Green Grey Silver | |
Autumn | Black Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ExposedDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Baptisia are perennials with branched stems bearing three-parted leaves and terminal or axillary racemes of pea flowers, followed by conspicuous inflated pods
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a well drained humus rich soil
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe or propagate by division in early spring.
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Prairie planting
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut down once foliage has blackened with frost
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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