Sue Hamilton: ‘Redneck lupine’: Plant yourself some sun-loving, problem-free Baptisia
If you're looking for a fantastic, old-fashioned perennial that is beautiful and tough, Baptisia, commonly called false indigo, may be the plant for you. I planted a clump in my garden about five years ago that has matured into an impressive specimen. It's been absolutely pest and problem-free. It's also deer resistant!
So pleased with its performance, I've added numerous selections to my garden. If you've never grown this perennial, I suggest you give it a try. Because it has such garden merit, it was selected as the Perennial Plant Association's 'Perennial Plant of the Year' in 2010.
Its spikey flower form makes this wonderful perennial resemble the much-coveted lupine (Lupinus). Since you cannot grow lupine in our Southern heat, go for Baptisia.
If you are familiar with the famed Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, N.C., and its wonderful owner, horticulturist Tony Avent, he calls Baptisia redneck lupines. So grow some redneck lupines and I guarantee you won't be disappointed!
A native American wildflower, Baptisia is a member of the pea (legume) family and a genus of about 35 species. Only a handful are garden worthy. Growing up to 4 feet tall and just as wide, Baptisia has few equals because of its striking vertical form and ability to serve as a focal point when blooming each spring. In Tennessee, it's tall and striking spiky blooms usually last 3 to 4 weeks during April into May. It also makes an attractive space filler during the summer. I like the showy, pea-like seed pods it retains well into the summer.
I recommend using Baptisia where its vertical structural form can be appreciated so growing against walls and fences, or combined in a border among companion plants which are either prostrate growing or fat and round growing is ideal. Hylotelephium spectabile (formerly called Sedum spectabile), Heuchera, Artemisia 'Powis Castle', hardy geranium, and Amsonia are great round-growing perennials that love the sun and will complement Baptisia. They look great, too, with roses, which typically have a round form. Prostrate-growing perennials which make nice companion plants include candytuft, prostrate sedums, lambs ear, dianthus, and phlox subulata. Baptisia also makes a perfect companion for early spring-flowering bulbs, as they can be timed so that their stalks emerge just after the bulbs have finished, providing a succession of flowering plants. It's also great for attracting butterflies.
Baptisia requires full sun for best performance, getting at least six hours of direct sun. It grows best in deep, rich soils but is tolerant of poor soils. Baptisia is actually native to open prairies and can live for decades. The plant's strong, fleshy root system allows it to be quite drought resistant. They are perfect plants for xeriscaping.
Freshly sown Baptisia seeds germinate easily and quite fast...usually in two weeks. If seed pods are not removed from a plant in a timely manner, many seedlings will sprout the following spring. If different colors are near each other, they freely hybridize, so it's possible to have unusual color combinations. You can divide Baptisia in early spring or fall, but care must be taken to make a deep and clean cut of the roots with a sharp spade and to provide abundant water upon transplanting. Baptisia resents being transplanted and may wilt until the roots adjust. Container transplants do well.
Popular selections include:
Baptisia australis, the most commonly grown false-indigo which has lavender-blue flowers.
Baptisia alba, topped with tall spires to 36' of lovely white pea-like flowers.
B. 'Blue Towers': 20″ spires of large lavender-blue blossoms.
B. 'Carolina Moonlight':— creamy yellow flower color.
B. Decadence 'Dutch Chocolate': Rich velvety chocolate purple flowers.
B. Decadence 'Lemon Meringue': Lemon yellow flowers on dark charcoal gray stems give the blooms an extra glow.
B. Decadence 'Vanilla Cream': pastel yellow buds open to creamy vanilla flowers.
B. 'Indigo Spires': heavy flower production with 12-15' long spikes of deep violet purple flowers accented with yellow.
B 'Royal Candles': a 2015 Plant Delights Nursery introduction which has an amazing number of 16' tall deep purple flower spikes.
B. 'Purple Smoke': tall black flower stalk and purple flower color.
B. 'Solar Flare': extremely vigorous with lemon-yellow blooms that age to a unique orange-blush.
B. 'Cherries Jubilee': dark mahogany buds that open to cinnamon-colored flowers highlighted with yellow.
B. 'Screamin' Yellow': makes a 3' tall x 5' wide clump topped with stunning 11' spikes of bright yellow flowers.
B. 'Lunar Eclipse': flowers are initially a light lemon over cream color, then mature first to cream, then to light and ultimately medium violet, producing an effervescent two- to three-toned color effect.
B. 'Blonde Bombshell': a 2014 Plant Delights Nursery release which has yellow-flowered spikes which grow 40' tall.
B. 'Blueberry Sundae': makes a 3' tall x 3' wide clump with 3' tall spikes of lavender blue flowers.
B. 'Cinnamon Toast': exclusive to Song Sparrow Nursery. Cinnamon-plum color with buttery yellow.
BLOOMS DAY FESTIVAL & MARKETPLACE
What: Plant sale. Many of these selections of Baptisia will be available
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 7 and 8
Where: UT Gardens
Admission: $8 per day per person or $12 for both days or for new or renewing Friends of the Gardens members $5 per day or $8 for both days
Info: http://utgardens.tennessee.edu/
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