Baptisia tinctoria (Yellow Wild Indigo) Unity Grown

Baptisia tinctoria, commonly referred to as yellow wild indigo or yellow false indigo, is a small, mounding perennial wildflower that yields small, vibrant yellow flowers from May to June. Native to dry meadow and open woodland areas throughout much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, yellow wild indigo grows to only 2-3' tall and wide, smaller than many wild indigos. In the late spring, attractive yellow pea-like flowers form on dense, shrubby branches and attract a number of pollinators including bees and butterflies. In late summer, pollinated flowers begin transitioning to striking black seed pods, providing attractive interest and persisting through fall and winter; winter seed presence makes yellow wild indigo especially valuable to migrating birds, though since Baptisia tinctoria seed pods contain only a single seed each, they may be less desirable to birds.

Well adapted to dry conditions and tolerant of poor soils, Baptisia tinctoria is a hardy species, but is not recommended for transplantation after establishment due to its deep-growing taproot. This taproot makes yellow wild indigo a poor choice for container growing or for areas with densely compacted clay soils, but it also makes the plant much more tolerance of drought over time. Although it is smaller than other Baptisia species, Baptisia tinctoria's bright flowers and dense, shrubby behavior make it an excellent addition to a variety of landscape sites, like low borders, pollinator gardens, and small spaces.

Our Baptisia tinctoria plugs and containers are grown from seed right here at Unity Church Hill Nursery.