...Jenny's Garden Home...

Image of the splendid hummingbird attractor, Baptisia 'Purple Smoke' or False Indigo or Purple Smoke Redneck Lupine or Wild Indigo

Attractive foliage of Baptisia 'Purple Smoke'

Origin:  U.S. hybrid
Family:  Papilioniaceae
Light:  Full sun/part shade
Height:  3-4' 
Spread:  3'
Blooms:  Unusual, showy, floriferous, long lasting, violet-blue, pea-like, opens from base up, smokey flower stalk, late Summer
Foliage:  Attractive, herbaceous, rich, gray-green
Soil:  Well-drained, not picky, stony, lime-free, mildly acidic, neutral, drought tolerant when established
Water:  Low
Propagation:  Seeds (Sow directly onto permanent location in ground in Fall), cuttings
Uses:  Xeriscaping, perennial boders/bedding, containers, meadow
Comments:  Baptisia 'Purple Smoke' or False Indigo or Purple Smoke Redneck Lupine or Wild Indigo is an introduction by Rob Gardner, a curator at NC Botanical Garden.  It is a hardy perennial with a vigorous slow upright growth habit.  In late Summer, exotic smokey-purple blossoms appear above lovely grayish-green foliage.  The long-lasting pea-like Blue False Indigo blossoms make ideal cut flowers and they are hummingbird's delight.   Baptisia 'Purple Smoke' is shrub-like and is easily propagated from seeds sown direcly onto permanent area in ground in the Fall or from cuttings.  It performs best in full sun but tolerates a part shade environment.   Purple Smoke Redneck Lupine has deep tap roots and does not like its roots being disturbed so plant seeds in a permanent area of landscape.  It performs best a sunny, well-drained, mildly acidic or neutral soil.  Wild Indigo tolerates cold, heat, drought and poor soils.  It is carefree and low maintenance.  Baptisia 'Purple Smoke' is a fabulous performer.  It slowly grows into a nice clump with more flowering stalks and blossoms; divide plants every 4 to 5 years.  At  3 or 4 years old, False Indigo can bear as many as 50 blooming stalks in late Summer.  This deer-resistant native makes a superb backdrop for low growing perennials.  Purple Smoke Redneck Lupine is drought tolerant; it makes an excellent xeriscaping plant.  It can also be container cultivated to add colors to the deck or patio.  Baptisia 'Purple Smoke' self sows and by next season, you will have many plants to share with friends.  Provide sufficient space for this gorgeous plant to expand. The interesting cane-like stems of False Indigo adds Winter interest. 
USDA Hardiness Zones :  3-10