Below are a few of the amazing baptisias flowering at JLBG that we snapped new photos of, over the last few weeks. It’s truly hard to imagine the vast garden improvements that have occured, since we and a couple of other breeders (Jim Ault and Hans Hansen) began working with the genus in the late 1990s. Our first foray into the wild in search of Baptisia genetics began in 1998, with our first expedition to Texas, and continues today, as we gather germplasm (seed, cuttings) from across the US range of baptisias. Our breeding lines now include genes from nine species; Baptisia aberrans, Baptisia alba, Baptisia albescens, Baptisia australis, Baptisia cinera, Baptisia minor, Baptisia perfoliata, Baptisia sphaerocarpa, and Baptisia tinctoria. Even within the species, unique characteristics from selected clones allow even more variation than the straight species.
One of the wonderful traits of baptisias are that they tolerate both exceptionally dry soils, as well as standing water, as long as they are growing in full sun. They are bee favorites, so their inclusion in a garden is great for attracting spring pollinators. If you want to learn more about the genus, and see all of the selection made in the genus, check out our Plant Collections Page.
I love that you are breeding many for tall slender habits with bare stems showing… highlighting the unique trait instead of trying to eradicate it.
You’re also the first source I’ve heard talk about liking wet soils, and I’ve planted a few there this year.
Thanks for all your hard work and sharing your knowledge.
I have been searching for some evergreen ground covers to underplant, with overlapping bloom times or contrasting/complementary foliage (in local Piedmont red clay based soils). Low enough to to show stems, but tall enough for weed suppression.
Lysimachia would be dramatic in wet soil, but a bit aggressive and short.
Phlox seems a bit early to bloom, as is maybe Veronica Georgia Blue, and even Ajuga. The yellow cordial canary ajugas foliage hasn’t greened up completely yet, though, and haven’t tried the other feathered friends.
Something slightly taller, and only a few ballparks away from Baptisia’s adaptability would be great too.
Any suggestions, especially for the blue-purple and yellow Baptisias?
Although much shorter, Pratia angulata and Laurentia fluvitalis are two favorites, along with Veronica umbrosa ‘Georgia Blue’. The colored foliage ajugas will not show their colors with any shade. Although not evergreen, we love Geranium ‘Azure Rush’. The taller the groundcover, however, the deeper the roots will go, possibly interfering with the vigor of the baptisia. Baptisias really don’t fare well with competition. You might also try Reineckia carnea. Although we haven’t tried it in this situation, it should fit all your requirements. The same for its cousin, Speirantha gardenii.
Hey Tony,
Thanks very much for the thoughtful responses, of course including several plants plants I’m only now formerly oblivious to.
I appreciate the info about the Baptisia root competition. I was thinking the Juniper ‘Copper Canyon’ could creep under the blue and purple Baptisias, but perhaps there might be some resentment.
I know Geraniums are supposed to be resistant, but Rozanne suffered lots of herbivory. Not sure if it’s bunnies, bambis or both, ahh good fences…
Bought three different ones during open house, amongst other plants, can’t wait for them to look like those pictures!
Hi, I was wondering where I can find Baptisia perfoliata? Is it available anywhere?
I happen to know that there will be one in the upcoming Southeastern Plant Symposium Rare Plant Auction. They are among the most difficult species to propagate from stem cuttings, and garden seed tend to hybridize with any other baptisias flowering nearby. Ideally, we would need to collect wild seed each year.