Baptisia australis It is better known to the public as false indigo blue. Despite not being a very common plant, it is of great ornamental interest due to the beauty of its flowers, and it can cover large surfaces by spreading its stems.
It also has a high ecological value, as we will see later in more detail. Therefore, it is a variety that you will surely like to learn more about in depth.
Origin, habitat and value of baptisia australis
We are dealing with a plant that is native to North America. In United States It usually grows between the East Coast and the Midwest, while in Canada it is more common to find it in the south of the country.
In its natural habitat, it prefers to grow in open, sunny places, usually present in meadows and forest edges. However, thanks to its ability to adapt to different types of soils, It is possible to see it in drier terrain.
The striking color of its flowers exerts a strong attraction on pollinators. Bees and butterflies come to suck its nectar and thereby contribute to the programming of this variety.
But its ecological value goes one step further, because its pods with seeds They are a good source of food for birds.
As if all this were not enough, historically, Some Native American tribes have used this plant for medicinal purposes. But, today, it is a variety that is basically used with
an ornamental purpose.
Characteristics of baptisia australis
Here is a list of physical characteristics that will help you know that you are in the presence of this variety and not another:
- Height and shape. The false blue indigo can reach up to 1,5 meters in height. It has a robust structure formed by upright and branched stems. It is common that, when mature, the stems detach naturally from the root. This allows the plant to continue generating new branches.
- Leaves. The leaves of this variety are alternate and trifoliate (divided into three leaflets). Its color can acquire a grayish green tone depending on the number of hours of sun they receive.
- Flowers. Flowering occurs between spring and summer, which is the time when this plant is most beautiful. Because it has blue flowers whose tone can range from very light to a striking purple. The flowers appear in the form of elongated clusters at the tips of the stems. It must be taken into account that this It is a plant that does not flower until it is well established, which may involve a wait of two to three years.
- Fruits. After flowering, hard, bluish-black pods appear, with an oblong shape and a long, sharp apex, which remain on the plant throughout the fall. Inside these pods We found a large number of seeds of a yellowish brown color.
- Estate. One of the most important characteristics of this plant is not visible. They are its roots, which extend very deeply. This can make transplanting this variety very complicated once it has settled well into the ground.
Baptisia australis care
To have a false blue indigo that is as beautiful as possible, you should follow these care instructions:
Lighting conditions
As far as possible, Try to place this plant in a place where it receives plenty of sun. directly for several hours a day (minimum six). It tolerates partial shade well, but the more sun it gets, the more it will grow and the more abundant its flowering will be.
Therefore, if you live in a warm area, this variety can be a great addition to your garden. Because tolerates heat well. As an added advantage of this plant, it turns out that it can also tolerate the cold quite well, although it must be protected from frost.
Planting medium
Baptisia australis is a very adaptable plant when it comes to soils. Prefer those that are well drained, and it is not too demanding in terms of nutrients. Therefore, you can plant it even in poor and dry soil.
However, if the soil is not of quality, You can try adding some organic matter, and you will notice that the appearance of your plant improves quickly.
This variety does not require heavy fertilizers to obtain nutrients. But You can give it a moderate contribution of balanced fertilizer at the beginning of spring.
Watering the baptisia australis
The first year after planting, watering has to be quite regular, because the plant is in the process of adapting to the terrain and has to establish its roots. Afterwards, you can space out the watering.
False blue indigo is resistant to drought once it has established itself, but if you can water it regularly, even better. Yes indeed, Try not to water the plant so as not to “drown” its roots.
So that humidity does not become a problem, Try to leave space between this plant and others of the same or different variety. This facilitates air circulation and prevents moisture buildup. It is something that will be good for both the baptisia australis and the rest of the plants you have nearby.
Pruning this variety
As we have noted before, the most mature stems detach themselves from the plant. So you don't have to worry about them. However, after flowering you can carry out light pruning if you want to give your baptisia australis a more compact appearance and encourage denser growth.
You can remove the pods with the seeds. But rIt is convenient that you leave them, because they add visual interest to the plant during the cold season, and serve as food for birds.
Wind protection
This variety can reach up to 1,5 meters in height, and this can become a problem if you live in an area where there are often strong gusts of wind. Yes that's how it is, Try to plant the baptisia australis in a place where it is sheltered from the wind, for example, near a wall, or put some type of support on it. This prevents the stems from bending when the wind blows very strongly.
You have just verified that baptisia australis is not a demanding plant. With minimal attention, You can make it add all its beauty to your garden.