Perennial of the Month-- June 2007 

(bap-TEASE-ee-ah) (pronunciation at link, turn up volume if too low)

Common name: Carolina Moonlight false indigo

Family: Fabaceae, bean or pea or legume

Height x width: 36-48" x 36-48"

Growth rate, habit: moderate, upright mounded

Foliage: trifoliate resembling a large clover,  with leaflets to 2" long, blue green

Flowers: late spring (south) to early summer (north) long spikes (racemes to 18") above foliage of soft, buttery yellow flowers resembling those of  lupine, 40-50 or more spikes on mature plants, long period of bloom 3-4 weeks; seedpods on species turn dark in late summer with ornamental interest

Hardiness: USDA zones 4-9

Soil: well-drained, not too fertile, dry to medium wet

Light: full sun

Pests and problems: none significant

Landscape habit, uses: perennial making an "instant shrub" effect, specimen in perennial borders, native and prairie gardens; good long-lived substitute for lupines; good for butterflies, cut and dried flowers; combines well with other cultivars such as 'Purple Smoke' (another sister selection from same origin), with blue foliage as from blue-leaved switchgrass cultivars or blue-leaved yucca (south), interplanted with daffodils, bluestars; underplanted with groundcovers such as blue-flowered speedwells

Other interest: introduction in 2002 from Rob Gardner of the NC botanical garden; a cross of B. sphaerocarpa x B. alba; tolerates heat and drought once established; common name from use of blue flowered species by native Americans for lesser quality indigo dye substitute

Other culture: allow plenty of room when planting as deep taproot on this genus and so hard to transplant, may take several years to establish and reach mature size

Propagation: late fall or spring division; softwood stem cuttings early in season with rooting hormone

Sources: specialty perennial nurseries local, mail order, and online, Plant Delights Nursery