Baptisia 'Vanilla Cream II' PPAF CPBRAF

DECADENCE® Series

Baptisia 'Vanilla Cream II' False Indigo

Common Name: False Indigo

An improvement on the long standing 'Vanilla Cream', this new selection maintains the same compact, well-rounded shape while blooming earlier with longer inflorescence. Dark charcoal stems hold dramatic 16-18" panicles of creamy white flowers, with branching to add a second and third flush of flowers. Seed pods begin to develop immediately after the plant is finished flowering, deepening in color and persisting into fall. This easy care, drought tolerant, deer resistant perennial is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for low maintenance or native perennials.

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.

The roots of the DECADENCE® series run deep. What started as a fun botanizing trip in the lower Midwest with a fellow horticultarist blossomed into a complex hybridizing project for breeder Hans Hansen. Hans has made countless crosses with the many native Baptisia species he has collected across Texas and Oklahoma. These crosses have resulted in an array of seedlings with unique flower colors and plant habits. Only the very best have made it into the new DECADENCE® Series, which includes varieties selected for their desirable flower colors and shorter, more compact habit.

The DECADENCE® trademark is owned by Walters Gardens, Inc.

Height:

3.5 Feet

Spread:

3.0 Feet

Hardiness Zones:

4,5,6,7,8,9

Flower Color:

White 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

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 Drought Tolerant Easy To Grow 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