Guide to growing Wild Indigo Baptisia
Plants of the Baptisa genus are very large (up to 2 meters) hardy perennials that are native to North America.
Some of the common names for the plant include wild indigo, Rattleweed, blue false indigo and false indigo.
Depending on the species they may flower in late spring or early autumn.
When they do flower wild indigo plants have flowers similar to sweet peas, blue, white or yellow in colour, along very long slim stalks.
How to grow wild indigo (Baptisia)
When planting Baptisia outdoors it is best to sow out the seeds at a depth of 6mm either in the early spring or late in the autumn. If planning to grow wild indigo indoors first then they should be sown in peat pots six to eight weeks before planning to transplant into the garden. Baptisia species can take from one to five weeks to germinate. Initially the seeds should be soaked in warm water for one full day, the seed should then be chipped at with a knife, and a temperature of 21 to 24 degrees Celsius maintained thereon.
wild indigo Seedlings should then be planted out at a spacing of 60 to 90cm into a sunny or lightly shaded area of the garden; ideally with a well drained soil of pH of 5.5 to 7. Baptisia seedlings can either be planted out in the early autumn or after the last frost of spring.
Caring for Baptisia in the garden
Plants of Baptisia take two or three years to become fully established and should be staked.