Baptisia TWILITE PRAIRIEBLUES� (x variicolor 'Twilite' PP19011)

Baptisia TWILITE PRAIRIEBLUES™ (x variicolor 'Twilite' PP19011)

PRAIRIEBLUES™ Collection

Baptisia TWILITE PRAIRIEBLUES™ False Indigo

Common Name: False Indigo

Adding to the array of Baptisia flower colors developed by Dr. Jim Ault of the Chicago Botanic Garden, TWILITE PRAIRIEBLUES™ has deep purple buds which open to smoky violet-purple flowers with lemon yellow keels. The long-lasting flowers appear on upright spikes in late spring about 1-2 weeks later than STARLITE PRAIRIEBLUES™ from late spring into early summer. Charcoal black seed pods add visual interest to the fall landscape.

This is a fairly large selection of Baptisia, so be sure to give it plenty of room to grow. It is unusually robust and vigorous selection that matures quickly in the landscape. 3 year old plants can have 100 or more flowering stems! The blue-green, trifoliate foliage remains beautiful all season long, making this plant a terrific backdrop for other flowering perennials in the landscape.

TWILITE PRAIRIEBLUES™ is a selection from a controlled cross of two species of Baptisia.

Baptisia is easy to grow and will thrive with little maintenance. There are many potential applications in the landscape including meadow plantings, as a backdrop in borders, or as a specimen. Plants are very long-lived once established.

Height:

3.5-5.0 Feet

Spread:

4.0-5.0 Feet

Hardiness Zones:

4,5,6,7,8,9

Flower Color:

Purple shades

Foliage Color:

Green shades

Sunlight:

Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Low Water Needs Average Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Poor Soil Quality Average Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Late Spring Early Summer

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Butterflies

Critter Resistant:

Deer Resistant

Seasonal Interest:

Dried Seed Heads

Growth Rate:

Medium

Garden Style:

Cottage Eclectic Prairie Rain Garden

Other Features:

Border Plant Cut Flower Cut Foliage Dried Flower Drought Tolerant Specimen Focal Point

Origin:

Native to North America

Baptisia grows best in full sun, though it tolerates light shade. If grown in too much shade, plants may require staking. Baptisia is easily grown in poor to average soil that is well-drained. Once established, it is moderately drought tolerant because of its tough, deep taproot.

This perennial native may take a couple of seasons to become established, but is very long-lived once mature. Avoid disturbing established clumps.

Awards

Univ of Georgia Trials Classic City Award -- 2011

Fun Facts

The genus name Baptisia comes from the Greek word bapto, meaning to dip, referring to its use as a substitute dye for indigo. The common name for Baptisia, False Indigo, also refers to this practice.

From the Fabaceae Family, or the Bean or Pea Family.

Tantalizing Trivia: Baptisia australis was the first ever subsidized agricultural crop in America.

Characteristics