Baptisia australis

False indigo, Baptisia australis, is a rather unusual plant which grows in well-drained acid soils. The foliage is like that of a tall, bushy pea plant with blue-green leaves. In early summer plants are topped with tall spires of large, blue pea flowers like those of a rather large lupin. After the flowers are over, plants produce large seed pods which ripen to a deep grey and are an attractive late feature. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Grow Baptisia australis in a sunny acidic border, or in pots for a dramatic patio display. Baptisias dislike being disturbed, so save the seeds to sow in spring to raise new plants, rather than trying to divide old ones.