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seeds: Baptisia tinctoria (Small yellow wild indigo)
Includes a brochure with instructions on how to sow native seeds.
Seed sowing instructions
- H = Seeds need scarification: One way this can be achieved is to rub the seed between two sheets of sand paper. Alternatively you can put nearly-boiling water in a mug (on the counter not on heat), throw the seeds in and let the water cool for 24 hours. Note: If code "C" is also called for, scarify first.
- C(30) = Baptisia tinctoria seeds need at least 30 days of cold moist stratification prior to sowing.
- I = Optional innoculant included.
- You can find more information about how to sow native seeds HERE.
Plant information:
Small yellow wild indigo is an excellent plant for the home landscape. The sturdy shrub-like stems produce multitudes of cream-yellow flowers in the late spring, and once established in the garden can handle fairly harsh conditions.
Like it’s cousin B. australis, B. tinctoria works well as a background planting that bridges the seasons well. While it can be a bit fussy to get started, you will help make a difference for a certain butterfly that is a species of concern in Massachusetts
. The Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus) lays its eggs solely on B. tinctoria, and it feeds on Bearberry nectar (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) as well as other spring wildflowers as an adult.
Fun Fact: Baptisia tinctoria has a wide variety of homeopathic uses, and is historically used as a highly effective treatment for Typhoid fever!
Photo background courtesy of Dan Wilder
seeds: Baptisia tinctoria (Small yellow wild indigo)
packet 30 seeds stratification code C(30), H, I
type: herbaceous perennial
sun needs: full sun, part sun/part shade
water needs: dry to moist soil
height:2'
bloom time: June, July, August
bloom color: yellow
