Prairieblues™ Solar Flare Baptisia, False Indigo

Baptisia ‘Solar Flare'

Solar Flare Baptisia is an upright native perennial with heavy blooms and longer raceme.  The buds start a lemon yellow and transition to shades of rusty orange flowers extend above the mound of clover-like blue-green foliage in late spring. This transition starts at the bottom of the raceme, making all three tones possible on one plant.  The blooms give way to large seedpods that blacken when ripe, providing ornamental interest.  Grows best with acidic well-drained soils.  Its abundant flowers are excellent pollination and butterfly attractors.  Drought tolerant once established.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS:   Low maintenance plant. Prefers acidic soils but can grow in neutral or alkaline soils.  Can take poor or rocky soils and is drought tolerant but soils must drain well. Gains a more shrub-like appearance after established if not pruned. Plants may grow taller in shade, which may require staking.  If need to trim back do so after bloom.  

LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Wildlife Gardens, Naturalized Areas, Native Gardens, Foundation Plantings, and Containers.

COMPANION PLANTS:  Peony, Cranesbill, Lady’s-mantle

IMAGE: Photo by rachelgreenbelt, baptisia solar flare, myyard, jdy146 XX201305260155.jpg

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.