Perennials & Biennials

Showing 89–92 of 490 results

  • Baptisia australis False Indigo Z 3-9

    Indigo blue racemes in June followed by ornamental pods

    $11.25/bareroot

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    Baptisia australis syn. Saphora australis False Indigo  Z 3-9
    In early summer loose spikes bear big blue blossoms which turn to large black seed pods. Four foot tall foliage resembles a shrub.

    Size: 3-5' x 24"
    Care: Full sun sandy soil. Drought tolerant
    Native: Eastern United States, Wisconsin native.
    Wildlife Value: Attracts butterflies
    Awards: Perennial Plant Association Plant of Year 2010

    As its common name describes, this plant was used as a substitute for indigo dye. Horticultural greats Bailey, Breck and Robinson considered Baptisia handsome. Introduced in 1758.

  • Baptisia leucantha White Wild Indigo Z 3-9

    Georgeous creamy white spikes of pea-like blooms

    $11.25/bareroot

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    Baptisia leucantha syn. Baptisia lactea syn. Baptisia alba var. macrophylla  White Wild Indigo, Prairie wild indigo Z 3-9
    Georgeous creamy white spikes of pea-like blooms in May & June followed by ornamental pods

    Size: 3-5' x 2-3'
    Care: full sun to part shade in well-drained soil. Drought tolerant
    Native: from Minnesota to Texas, Wisconsin native
    Wildlife Value: attracts butterflies

    For the HoChunk “(t)he root is a single remedy to use for injured womb alone. Cook the root and mash it to form a poltice to bind on. Wash with water and draw out the inflammation.”

  • Baptisia sphaerocarpa Yellow wild indigo Z 5-8

    Spikes of yellow pea-like flowers

    $11.25/bareroot

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    Baptisia sphaerocarpa syn. Baptisia viridis Yellow wild indigo   Z 5-8
    Spikes of yellow pea-like flowers, a legume, in spring.

    Size: 2-3’ x 2-3’
    Care: sun to part shade in moist well-drained to dry soil
    Native: Missouri to Mississippi to TX

    Baptisia is Greek meaning “to dye” referring to use of Baptisia australis as a substitute for indigo dye. Sphaerocarpa means “round seed.”  Collected by English planthunter Thomas Nuttall before 1834.

  • Baptisia tinctoria Wild indigo, Horsefly Z. 3-9

    Sweet saffron yellow pea-like flowers, July to September

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    $7.95/bareroot

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    Sweet saffron yellow pea-like flowers, July to September

    Size: 2-3’ x 2-3’
    Care: sun to part shade in dry to moist well-drained soil
    Native: Ontario, Maine to MN S to GA, Wisconsin
    Wildlife Value: Attracts butterflies.

    Baptisia is Greek meaning “to dye” referring to use of Baptisia australis as a substitute for indigo dye. Tinctoria means used in dying. For Cherokee it induced vomiting. They made a poultice to “stop mortification.” The root, held against teeth, remedied toothache. Iroquois used it to cure rheumatism and cramps in the stomach or legs. The Cherokee & Ojibwa used it for dye. Collected by John Banister in Virginia by 1692. Pressed specimen in Emily Dickinson’s herbarium.