Indigo Baptisa, False Indigo -U.S. Native, Nitrogen Fixing

Blue Wild Indigo, Indigo Baptista, or False Indigo is a widespread native that is found in the Midwest and Eastern US. This native grows quickly and reaches heights of 4-5' once established. They are great in borders, areas you want a summer boundary, wildlife gardens, and their elegant nature lends themselves to even formal gardens. 

It prefers drier soils and loves full sun. This is a host plant for many butterflies and attracts birds and pollinators, plus it is cover for beneficial insects. its seed pods are food for many songbirds. 

Botanical Names: Baptista Australis

Characteristics: 

• Perennial 
• Plants grow to 4-5 feet tall
• Blue blooms
  
• 25 Seeds per packet 

Instructions - It is recommended to cold stratify this seed so sow early in pots (great for winter sowing) or directly in the garden as soon as the soil can be worked. You can also encourage germination if you miss the cold period but sowing into a tray of media, moisten, cover and place in fridge for 60 days.  Remove and provide dequate light and non freezing conditions. Before cold stratification, you should scaricify the seeds which is just a way to nick the seed coat.  To do this simply rub the seed between two sheets of sand paper to help thin its coating. 

• Start Indoors - 8-10 weeks before the last frost or sow directly outside while still cold
• Sow 1/2" deep
• Germination 10-40 days after cold stratication 
• Plant 12-24" apart
• Light: Partial Sun to Full Sun