2010 Perennial Plant Of The Year

The Perennial Plant Association has selected Baptisia australis as the 2010 Perennial Plant of the Year. Commonly called blue false indigo, this native perennial is an exceptional perennial that grows across a wide range of hardiness zones and is very adaptable. Easily grown in well-drained soils, this plant is drought tolerant once established. Preferring full sun, this slow-growing perennial will reach full size (3-4' tall and 3-4' wide) in 3-5 years and rarely needs division. Newly emerging shoots produce violet-blue, "lupine-like" flowers in spring. This plant blooms for a long period of time and the greyish blue foliage is interesting as well. The seed pods dry to black late in the season and were used as rattles in earlier times and are popular in flower arrangements. Native Americans used this Baptisia as a dye plant as well. This plant also has no serious insect or disease problems and is seldom bothered by deer.

Both of the pictures were taken in my home garden although we have many Baptisias at Rotary Botanical Gardens. There are many exciting breeding efforts occuring right now and the merit of Baptisia in the full sun garden is very apparent. Dr. Jim Ault is doing lots of work at the Chicago Botanic Garden as is Tony Avent at Plant Delights Nursery. There are plenty of exciting species and hybrids out on the market now. Look for yellows, whites, light blues and color combos. Account for the space these sturdy plants will eventually encompass but sit back and enjoy a low-maintenance, long-lived perennial once it is established. Below is a selected variety of Baptisia hybrid called 'Purple Smoke' which is one of my favorites (found at the North Carolina Botanical Gardens).