Species false indigo
Dark-purple flowers and green leaves on green stems.

false indigo

Baptisia 'Dutch Chocolate'

False indigo (Baptisia 'Dutch Chocolate') is an amazing plant species. It is a deciduous perennial that can grow to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Its dark chocolate-purple foliage is sure to add a bold statement to any garden. The stunning long-lasting pea-like flowers in shades of yellow and burgundy create a unique contrast to the dark foliage. The flowers bloom in early summer and can last for weeks. False indigo is virtually care-free and requires only minimal pruning. Drought tolerant and deer resistant, it's a very low-maintenance and long-lived specimen that will bring beauty to the garden for many years to come.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 9

Flowers:

Purple-brown Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

brown

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

False indigo (Baptisia 'Dutch Chocolate') should generally be watered once a week. Each time, provide enough water so that the soil is evenly soaked, assuming no rain that week. It is better to provide 2 light waterings rather than 1 heavy 1. Always check the soil moisture before watering to ensure the plant does not get overwatered. On hot days, you may need to increase your waterings to twice a week. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

sunlight

False indigo (Baptisia 'Dutch Chocolate') grows best when planted in full sun, which means 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. They can tolerate some afternoon shade, but because of their tall nature, they must be planted in an area that will not be shaded during the morning hours. False indigo is also less tolerant of cold weather, so try to keep them out of freezing temperatures.

pruning

False indigo plants should be pruned once a year in late fall or early winter. Cut back the flowering stems to a height of 8-12 inches to prevent the plant from becoming too tall and scraggly. In addition, remove any deadwood or damaged stems, as well as any weak or thin growth. If any side branches are starting to take over the main stem, prune back those as well. Overall, pruning should be done sparingly, as too much can harm the plant's health.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Baptisia 'Dutch Chocolate' typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Baptisia 'Dutch Chocolate' typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map