Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke’

wild indigo

  • © Rick Peterson / Great Plant Picks

  • © Rick Peterson / Great Plant Picks

Outstanding Qualities

This vigorous and tough perennial is named for the vibrant smokey violet-blue and purple flowers that stand lupine-like above the plant on strong charcoal colored stems. The flowers and stems contrast beautifully with the bright grey green leaves that form a dense bushy mass below. It is easy to grow and will thrive with little maintenance and is very long-lived and drought tolerant once established

Quick Facts

Plant Type: perennial

Growth Habit: upright

Foliage Type: deciduous

Plant Height (10-year): 3 ft. 0 in. (0.91 meters)

Plant Width/Spread (10-year): 2 ft. 0 in. (0.61 meters)

Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 to 8

Flowering Time: spring-summer

Sun/Light Exposure: full sun

Water Requirements: drought tolerant when established

Seasonal Interest: spring flowers, summer-fall seed pods

Wildlife Associations: bees

Colors & Combos

Great Plant Combinations:

Great Color Contrasts: burgundy, yellow

Great Color Partners: silver, blue, purple

Culture Notes

This smoky blue indigo grows best in full sun with well-drained soil and is tolerant of sandy and clay situations. Rich organic soils and heavy fertilizing can make it floppy and growing it in lean and poor soils will produce a more compact plant. Once established it is drought tolerant. This is a very easy perennial with almost no health issues, but it is slow growing and resents being disturbed so provide with plenty of room in the garden.