Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial

Baptisia × bicolor 'Starlite' (Prairieblues Series)

false indigo 'Starlite'

An herbaceous perennial, forming a clump to around 1m high, with upright stems bearing leaves divided into three narrowly oval-shaped leaflets. Tall clusters of soft violet-coloured flowers touched with cream are produced in late spring or early summer, followed by dark grey seed pods

Synonyms
Baptisia 'Starlight Prairie Blues'
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Cream Green
Summer Purple Cream Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Fabaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Baptisia are perennials with branched stems bearing three-parted leaves and terminal or axillary racemes of pea flowers, followed by conspicuous inflated pods

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in deep, well-drained, preferably sandy soil in an open, sunny position. Plants can be slow to establish, and dislike being disturbed, but mature plants have good drought tolerance

Propagation

Propagate by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings. Hybrid cultivars will not come true from seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required, though plants can be trimmed back after flowering to maintain a compact shape, unless seed pods are required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.