Do you love the native genus of Baptisia, but find that you don’t have room on your shelf for the tall, lanky cultivars? Try ‘Grape Taffy’, a new Baptisia developed by Hans Hansen at Walters Gardens, Inc., one of the most compact Baptisia to date. Coming in at under 2½ feet tall, this naturally compact plant stays an ideal size in the retail pot. Spikes of deep reddish-purple flowers appear in early summer, reminiscent of grapes. Each flower is accented by a buff yellow keel. The reddish-purple flowers are a color break for Baptisia, a departure from the typical deep blue flowers of the genus. The green foliage looks attractive even when the flowers are not in bloom. This extremely long-lived perennial could be used instead of a shrub in landscape settings, with minimal care required to thrive year after year.
Baptisia is easy to grow and will thrive with little maintenance. There are many potential applications in the landscape including meadow plantings, as a backdrop in borders, or as a specimen.
Height:
2.0-2.5 Feet
Spread:
2.5-3.0 Feet
Hardiness Zones:
4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color:
Purple shades
Foliage Color:
Green shades
Sunlight:
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Water Requirements:
Low Water Needs Average Water Needs
Soil Quality:
Poor Soil Quality Average Soil Quality
Soil Chemistry:
Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
Bloomtime:
Late Spring
Attracts Wings:
Attracts Butterflies Bee Friendly
Critter Resistant:
Deer Resistant
Seasonal Interest:
Dried Seed Heads
Growth Rate:
Slow
Garden Style:
Formal Prairie Rain Garden
Other Features:
Border Plant Cut Flower Cut Foliage Dried Flower Drought Tolerant Salt Tolerant Specimen Focal Point
Origin:
Native to North America
Baptisia grows best in full sun, though it tolerates light shade. If grown in too much shade, plants may require staking. Baptisia is easily grown in poor to average soil that is well-drained. Once established, it is moderately drought tolerant because of its tough, deep taproot. This perennial native may take a couple of seasons to become established, but is very long-lived once mature. Avoid disturbing established clumps.
Container:
Premium 1 Gallon Pot
When to Plant:
Late spring to early summer for the following spring
Finish:
All summer required for finish, then vernalize as directed. Baptisia grown from plugs will have a prostrate growth habit the first summer. Upon emergence the following spring the habit will be more upright and normal.
Notes:
Plant slightly deep with crown 1/2 inch below soil.
Container:
Premium 2 Gallon Pot
When to Plant:
Late winter to late spring
Finish:
6"/Gallon - 8-12 wks; 10-12"- 8-12 wks
Growing Temperature:
Rooting out and Growing on 55-60° F
Holding Temperature:
40-50° F
Soil PH:
5.8-6.5
EC (What is EC?):
2.0-3.0 pour through method
Fertility:
Requires 100-150 ppm fertilizer for optimal growth. For Controlled Release or Slow Release Fertilizer, see your preferred supplier for recommended rates for incorporation or top dressing, as it varies by fertilizer.
Vernalization:
8-10 weeks if planted from plugs during early summer.
Pests & Diseases:
Leaf spots, powdery mildew (Erysiphe and Microshaera), rust (Puccinia), root rots.
Potting & Timing:
Generously graded bare root plants should bloom the first year.
Plugs can be planted in late spring to early summer and sold the following spring. This option yields the greatest number of stems per pot.
Forcing plants under cool temperatures will help control height and will intensify flower color but may increase crop time.
Baptisia will flower in 8-10 weeks at 50-60° F.
Moisture:
Water well after planting and increase watering as the foliage emerges. Dry to moderate moisture levels.
Planting Level:
Plant crown just below soil surface for bare root. Plant plugs 1/2" below the soil surface.
PGRs/Pinching:
Drench with Uniconazole (Sumagic/Concise) at 1 ppm once plants reach 6 inches in height.
Toning sprays at 5 ppm can be applied later if more control is needed. Best height control is growing Baptisia under cooler temperatures.
Lighting:
Provide high light levels. Grow under clear poly or outdoors.
Grower Tips:
Do not pinch vernalized Baptisia before they flower.
Pay attention to the planting depths of bare root and plugs, and be sure to cover the eyes with soil when planting bare root.
It is recommended to plant bare root in 2 gallon containers as these have the depth needed to support the plant.
If a 1 gallon container is desired, roots can be trimmed to fit the container.
1 gallon containers will have a short shelf life due to the massive root system that develops.
The genus name Baptisia comes from the Greek word bapto, meaning to dip, referring to its use as a substitute dye for indigo. The common name for Baptisia, False Indigo, also refers to this practice.
From the Fabaceae Family, or the Bean or Pea Family.
Tantalizing Trivia: Baptisia australis was the first ever subsidized agricultural crop in America.
Height:
2.0-2.5 Feet
Spread:
2.5-3.0 Feet
Hardiness Zones:
4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color:
Purple shades
Foliage Color:
Green shades
Sunlight:
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Water Requirements:
Low Water Needs Average Water Needs
Soil Quality:
Poor Soil Quality Average Soil Quality
Soil Chemistry:
Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
Bloomtime:
Late Spring
Attracts Wings:
Attracts Butterflies Bee Friendly
Critter Resistant:
Deer Resistant
Seasonal Interest:
Dried Seed Heads
Growth Rate:
Slow
Garden Style:
Formal Prairie Rain Garden
Other Features:
Border Plant Cut Flower Cut Foliage Dried Flower Drought Tolerant Salt Tolerant Specimen Focal Point
Origin:
Native to North America
Baptisia grows best in full sun, though it tolerates light shade. If grown in too much shade, plants may require staking. Baptisia is easily grown in poor to average soil that is well-drained. Once established, it is moderately drought tolerant because of its tough, deep taproot. This perennial native may take a couple of seasons to become established, but is very long-lived once mature. Avoid disturbing established clumps.
Container:
Premium 1 Gallon Pot
When to Plant:
Late spring to early summer for the following spring
Finish:
All summer required for finish, then vernalize as directed. Baptisia grown from plugs will have a prostrate growth habit the first summer. Upon emergence the following spring the habit will be more upright and normal.
Notes:
Plant slightly deep with crown 1/2 inch below soil.
Container:
Premium 2 Gallon Pot
When to Plant:
Late winter to late spring
Finish:
6"/Gallon - 8-12 wks; 10-12"- 8-12 wks
Growing Temperature:
Rooting out and Growing on 55-60° F
Holding Temperature:
40-50° F
Soil PH:
5.8-6.5
EC (What is EC?):
2.0-3.0 pour through method
Fertility:
Requires 100-150 ppm fertilizer for optimal growth. For Controlled Release or Slow Release Fertilizer, see your preferred supplier for recommended rates for incorporation or top dressing, as it varies by fertilizer.
Vernalization:
8-10 weeks if planted from plugs during early summer.
Pests & Diseases:
Leaf spots, powdery mildew (Erysiphe and Microshaera), rust (Puccinia), root rots.
Potting & Timing:
Generously graded bare root plants should bloom the first year.
Plugs can be planted in late spring to early summer and sold the following spring. This option yields the greatest number of stems per pot.
Forcing plants under cool temperatures will help control height and will intensify flower color but may increase crop time.
Baptisia will flower in 8-10 weeks at 50-60° F.
Moisture:
Water well after planting and increase watering as the foliage emerges. Dry to moderate moisture levels.
Planting Level:
Plant crown just below soil surface for bare root. Plant plugs 1/2" below the soil surface.
PGRs/Pinching:
Drench with Uniconazole (Sumagic/Concise) at 1 ppm once plants reach 6 inches in height.
Toning sprays at 5 ppm can be applied later if more control is needed. Best height control is growing Baptisia under cooler temperatures.
Lighting:
Provide high light levels. Grow under clear poly or outdoors.
Grower Tips:
Do not pinch vernalized Baptisia before they flower.
Pay attention to the planting depths of bare root and plugs, and be sure to cover the eyes with soil when planting bare root.
It is recommended to plant bare root in 2 gallon containers as these have the depth needed to support the plant.
If a 1 gallon container is desired, roots can be trimmed to fit the container.
1 gallon containers will have a short shelf life due to the massive root system that develops.
The genus name Baptisia comes from the Greek word bapto, meaning to dip, referring to its use as a substitute dye for indigo. The common name for Baptisia, False Indigo, also refers to this practice.
From the Fabaceae Family, or the Bean or Pea Family.
Tantalizing Trivia: Baptisia australis was the first ever subsidized agricultural crop in America.
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