Baptisia sphaerocarpa

RHS Plant Profile
yellow false indigo

Other common names

yellow wild indigo

Herbaceous Perennial

An herbaceous perennial, forming a clump to around 1m high, with upright stems bearing blue-green leaves divided into three clover-like leaflets. Tall clusters of bright yellow flowers are produced in late spring, followed by inflated, pale green seed pods that ripen to brown

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed
Hardiness
H7
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
Correct

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 seed or by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings. Plants grown from seed may take a few years to flower

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free