White Wild Indigo
(Baptisia alba)
White Wild Indigo (Baptisia alba)
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mfeaver
CC BY 4.0
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mfeaver
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CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: mfeaver | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: mfeaver | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-03-14T11:35:54-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Baptisia alba, commonly known as White Wild Indigo, is a perennial herb native to open woodlands, prairies, and fields in central and eastern North America. It typically grows to a height of 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters) and spreads 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters). The plant has a sturdy, upright form with glaucous, blue-green foliage. The leaves are trifoliate, with each leaflet being ovate and entire. From late spring to early summer, it produces showy spikes of pea-like white flowers, which are highly attractive to pollinators. After flowering, it forms decorative seed pods that turn black when ripe and can add interest to the winter garden.
White Wild Indigo is valued for its low maintenance requirements, long-lived nature, and ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, improving soil fertility. It is often used in naturalized plantings, prairie restorations, and as a specimen in perennial borders. This species thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils, although it is tolerant of poor soils and drought once established. It is not typically bothered by pests or diseases, making it a trouble-free addition to the garden. However, it can be slow to establish and may take several years to reach its full size.CC BY-SA 4.0
White Wild Indigo is valued for its low maintenance requirements, long-lived nature, and ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, improving soil fertility. It is often used in naturalized plantings, prairie restorations, and as a specimen in perennial borders. This species thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils, although it is tolerant of poor soils and drought once established. It is not typically bothered by pests or diseases, making it a trouble-free addition to the garden. However, it can be slow to establish and may take several years to reach its full size.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Width: 2-2.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: Cream, White
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Native to open woodlands, prairies, and fields in central and eastern North America
Other Names
Common Names: White False Indigo, Vit Färgväppling
Scientific Names: , Baptisia alba, Sophora glauca, Podalyria alba, Sophora alba, Crotalaria alba,
GBIF Accepted Name: Baptisia alba (L.) R.Br.