Common Name: false indigo
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Fabaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Bright yellow
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Butterflies
Fruit: Showy
Tolerate: Drought, Erosion, Dry Soil
Culture
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun in acidic, somewhat poor soils. Good drought tolerance. Plant develops a large taproot and is best left undisturbed once established. Plants tend to open up after flowering and may need support as the summer progresses. Foliage may be cut back after flowering to form compact bushy plants which remain attractive for the remainder of the growing season without staking, however the showy seed pods will be lost if this is done. Plants usually take 3 years to establish, but are of easy culture thereafter.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Baptisia is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials growing mainly in dry woodland and grassland areas of eastern and southern U.S. Often found growing in dry, gravelly soils they are deep-rooted plants with good drought and erosion tolerance. The showy terminal flower spikes are followed by inflated seed pods. The pea-like flowers are attractive to butterflies and other insect pollinators.
The genus name Baptisia comes from the Greek word bapto meaning "to dye".
The common name of false indigo refers to the use of certain native baptisias by early American colonists as a substitutes, albeit inferior, for true indigo (genus Indigofera) in making dyes.
‘Lemon Meringue’ is a vigorous, upright hybrid false indigo (also wild indigo) that typically grows to 36” tall with an equal spread. As the cultivar name suggests, this selection is noted for producing bright yellow flowers. The foliage forms a mound of clover-like, trifoliate, bluish-green leaves. Flowers are lupine-like and appear in late spring in erect racemes (around 10" long) extending well above the foliage on dark stems. Attractive to bees and other insect pollinators. Flowers give way to attractive seed heads which persist into fall. This plant is protected by patent number PP24280.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Taller plants may need support, particularly when grown in part shade locations. Sensitive to juglone. Tends to perform poorly when planted close to black walnut trees.
Uses
Borders, cottage gardens, prairies and meadows. Effective in naturalized settings. Best as a specimen or in small groups.