Baptisia australis selected as 2010 Perennial Plant of the Year

Baptisia australis is the Perennial Plant Association’s (PPA) 2010 Perennial Plant of the Year. B. australis is also known by the common names blue false indigo, wild indigo and baptisia.

B. australis is an excellent plant to anchor the back of the border. It is also valuable for cottage gardens and native plant gardens, and native areas of prairies or meadows. It is best as a specimen or planted in small groups.

Plants thrive in full sun. If grown in partial shade, they may require staking. B. australis is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9.

PPA members vote for the plant of the year. In addition to their vote, each member nominates plants for future consideration. The Perennial Plant of the Year Committee reviews the nominated perennials and selects 3 to 4 plants to be placed on the ballot.

Nominations are based are the following criteria:

• Suitable for a wide range of climatic conditions
• Low maintenance
• Pest and disease resistant
• Readily available in the year of release
• Multiple season of ornamental interest
• Easily propagated by asexual or seed propagation

For more information, visit the Perennial Plant Association’s website.
http://www.perennialplant.org/index.asp