Species American Yellowrocket
yellow flowers with green leaves and stems

American Yellowrocket

Barbarea orthoceras

Also Known As - American Wintercress
American Yellowrocket (Barbarea orthoceras) is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows up to two feet tall. It has lobed, glossy leaves and clusters of small yellow flowers. The flowers bloom from early to mid-spring and are followed by small clusters of fruits. It is a cool-season plant that is found in disturbed areas, grassy areas, and open woodlands. It is tolerant of dry and sandy soils. It is also a beneficial companion plant, attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. American Yellowrocket is the perfect addition to any wild or native garden.

Watering:

Average

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Largeleaf Wild Indigo (Baptisia lactea var. lactea) should be watered once or twice a week, depending on the season and local temperature. During the hottest months of the year, bushier plants may require more frequent watering; once every 4 days should be enough. In cooler temperatures, watering every 7-10 days should be sufficient. Make sure to water the plant deeply – the soil should be sufficiently moist all the way through, but not drenched or saturated. To check if the soil is still moist enough, insert your finger 2-3 inches into the soil; if it comes out dry, it's time to water. In the winter, water more rarely, allowing the soil to dry out in between watering sessions.

sunlight

Largeleaf Wild Indigo (Baptisia lactea var. lactea) need 4-6 hours of full sunlight per day, preferably in the morning. The plant should be placed in a location that gets direct sunlight for this duration of time. If the plant gets too much sunlight, the leaves may yellow and eventually, the plant may die. Therefore, it's important to monitor the sun exposure and provide the appropriate amount of sunlight for the plant.

pruning

Largeleaf Wild Indigo should be pruned annually in early spring before new growth starts. Pruning should take place after the plant has flowered and all the flower heads have begun to dry. This helps to ensure the plant does not become overly dense, and it helps to promote the formation of large attractive flower heads for the next season. Prune off any dead and diseased material. Remove up to 1/3 of the tallest stems, removing any weak and/or unproductive shoots at the same time. After pruning, the stems may need to be tied into a neat bundle to provide support. Pruning encourages strong, healthy shoots. Additionally, if you prune the plants in a balanced manner, the plants will remain healthy and produce larger flower heads.

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.