Baptisia australis (Blue Wild Indigo)
$ 8.98
Also known as Wild Blue Indigo and Blue False Indigo.
Blue Wild Indigo is a bushy perennial with blue-purple pea-like flowers. Clusters of black seedpods often persist through the winter, and make great addition to dried flower arrangements. It is a deep-rooted native legume (fixes nitrogen in the soil) that can be slow to mature. It develops extensive root system with age. It attracts native bees and is a host plant for multiple butterflies. It does not grow well in shade. It prefers gravelly, sandy or well-drained loamy soils.
Blue Wild Indigo has a deep taproot and does not respond well to being moved. It is sensitive to juglone and tends to perform poorly when planted close to black walnut trees.
AT A GLANCE
Texas native |
Yes |
Water use | Medium |
Sun exposure | Full sun to part sun |
Bloom color | Purple, blue |
Bloom time | Spring, summer |
Mature height | 3-5 ft |
Mature spread | 3-4 ft |
Attracts | Bees, butterflies |
Host plant | Wild Indigo Duskywing, Eastern Tailed-Blue, Orange Sulphur, Clouded Sulphur, Frosted Elfin, and Hoary Edge butterflies. |
Deer resistant | Moderately |
Poisonous | Toxic if ingested. |
Notes | Native bee and bumble bee friendly. Tolerates seasonal flooding. |
DISTRIBUTION MAPS
Present in state |
Present in county and native |
Native to North America, but adventive & escaped in state |
Not present in state |
Present and rare, native in county |
Previously present, now extinct |
Questionable presence (cross-hatched, regardless of color) |