Spires of pea-like flowers appear in June on 3-4 ft. stems above foliage that is a lustrous gray-green. Plant Baptisia with Siberian Iris and Peonies, other long-lived garden plants. Because of its height, we suggest finding a place in the middle or back of the herbaceous border. Plants are especially valuable in the cutting garden.

CULTURE Plants perform best with a full day (6-8hrs) of sun. Select a site with good, deep, well-drained, slightly acid soil. With bareroot plants, cover the crown with one inch of soil. Space plants 18-30" apart. Do not add lime.

Baptisia is slow to become established but long-lived. The fleshy roots plunge deep into the ground and resent disturbance, so it's best not to transplant Baptisia if you can avoid it. The black seedpods are attractive. If left in place, they split and scatter their contents, which yield a crop of seedlings the following spring.