New Moon Nurseries

A long-lived perennial, Baptisia australis features spikes of blue pea-shaped flowers and glossy, green trifoliate leaves.  Plants slowly develop expanding clumps with a deep, extensive root system. Grows best in moist to dry soils in full sun.

The common name, false indigo, comes from Native Americans using this plant as a source of blue dye; this plant was used as a substitute for Indigofera tinctoria. Once used as toy rattles for children, the black seed capsules the flowers produce have historical value as well as ornamental value today.