Deciduous Perennial Upright, Vase-Shaped in the Fabaceae Family
Buy Midnight Prairieblues False Indigo
Size
Notes
Price
Availability
A Chicago Botanic Garden introduction with extra-long violet-blue flower spikes and a tidy, vase-shaped habit that holds up without staking.
Baptisia 'Midnight Prairieblues' is an interspecific false indigo hybrid developed by Dr. Jim Ault at the Chicago Botanic Garden as part of the Prairieblues series. Its deep violet-blue, pea-like flowers open along exceptionally long, upright racemes that can reach nearly two feet, and a flush of shorter secondary spikes extends the bloom season several weeks beyond most Baptisia cultivars. Blue-green, clover-like foliage forms a dense, vase-shaped clump that holds its shape through the season without staking, then matures into dark seed pods that add winter interest. Like other false indigos, it develops a deep taproot and is best sited where it can grow undisturbed for years.
Pros
Extra-long flower spikes with a bloom period several weeks longer than most Baptisia
Sturdy, vase-shaped habit that resists flopping without staking
Deer-resistant and drought-tolerant once established
Attracts bees and other pollinators
Cons
Deep taproot makes established plants difficult to divide or transplant
Slow to reach full size and mature bloom
All plant parts are toxic if ingested
Highlights
Exceptionally long, deep violet-blue flower spikes extend well beyond the foliage, and a rebloom of shorter secondary spikes keeps the show going longer than most Baptisia. A tidy, upright, vase-shaped clump holds up to summer storms without staking.
Plant Data
Mature Size
3 - 4 feet
tall. 4 - 5 feet
wide.
Growth Rate
Slow
Sun Exposure
Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance
Dry - Medium
Zones
4a - 9b
(Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags
Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Full Sun, Good for Borders, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Dried Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Low Maintenance, Medium, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Potentially Toxic, Prairie Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Slow Growth Rate, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Poor Soil, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Winter Interest
We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!
Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants
Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.
Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.
Estimated Recipe Cost
The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.
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To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.
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It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.
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