Baptisia alba (White Wild Indigo) Unity Grown

Baptisia alba, commonly called white wild indigo, is a native perennial with creamy-white pea-like flowers that grow in upright spiked clusters from late spring into summer. White wild indigo provides four season interest with persistent seed pods remaining attached to the stems through the winter. Baptisia alba performs best in full sun, and though it typically only grows to two to three feet, white wild indigo can reach six feet in optimal conditions. Baptisia alba will tolerate part shade, and is also tolerant to poor soil and drought due to its deep taproot.

The common name of white wild indigo refers to the plants' tissues containing a blue dye similar to indigo; this dye becomes more visible through the cooler months, with dried plants becoming nearly black in color through the fall. Wild white indigo is an ecologically valuable species, as its blooms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, and several bird species eat its seeds or shelter among its foliage.

Note: Care should be taken when choosing a planting location for Baptisia alba, especially in meadow environments, as this plant can be fatal when eaten by ranging cattle.