Family: Fabaceae (Pea)
Name: Baptisia tinctoria - Wild Indigo
Bloom Time: May-June
Flower: Yellow
Soil Condition: Dry, Average, Sandy, Well Drained
Light: Sun
Height: 24-36" tall by 24-36" wide
Native Range: Eastern United States including Long Island
Zone: 3 to 9
Baptisia tinctoria takes about 3 to establish itself as it puts all its energy into its deep taproot. Once established, the bright yellow flowers are a nice contrast to the blue-gray foliage. The showy black seed pods are an added bonus. Being a legume, it fixes its own nitrogen. This can be found in the Long Island Pine Barrens.
Fun Fact: Its other common name, Horseflyweed, was due to its reputation for protecting horses and mules from horseflies.
Maintenance: Does not do well with taller plants as shade is a cause for its demise.
Benefits: Special value to bumble bees, pollinators, host plant to Frosted Elfin, Hoary Edge and Wild Indigo Duskywing, deer and rabbit resistant, drought tolerant
Companion Plants: Callirhoe involucrata - Poppy Mallow, Asclepias tuberosa - Butterfly Weed, Eragrostis spectabilis - Purple Love Grass,
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