Baptisia 'Grape Taffy' PP26587

Common Name: False Indigo

Do you love the native genus of Baptisia, but find that you don’t have room on your shelf for the tall, lanky cultivars? Try ‘Grape Taffy’, a new Baptisia developed by Hans Hansen at Walters Gardens, Inc., one of the most compact Baptisia to date. Coming in at under 2½ feet tall, this naturally compact plant stays an ideal size in the retail pot. Spikes of deep reddish-purple flowers appear in early summer, reminiscent of grapes. Each flower is accented by a buff yellow keel. The reddish-purple flowers are a color break for Baptisia, a departure from the typical deep blue flowers of the genus. The green foliage looks attractive even when the flowers are not in bloom. This extremely long-lived perennial could be used instead of a shrub in landscape settings, with minimal care required to thrive year after year.

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.

Height:

2.0-2.5 Feet

Spread:

2.5-3.0 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

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Butterflies

Critter Resistant:

Deer Resistant

Seasonal Interest:

Dried Seed Heads

Growth Rate:

Slow

Garden Style:

Formal Prairie Rain Garden

Other Features:

Border Plant Cut Flower Cut Foliage Dried Flower Drought Tolerant Salt 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.

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