Product Description
Baptisia 'Vanilla Cream II' PPAF CPBRAF - Proven Winners® DECADENCE® Series Plants (25) Bare Root Plants
Common Name: False Indigo
An improvement on the long standing 'Vanilla Cream', this new selection maintains the same compact, well-rounded shape while blooming earlier with longer inflorescence. Dark charcoal stems hold dramatic 16-18" panicles of creamy white flowers, with branching to add a second and third flush of flowers. Seed pods begin to develop immediately after the plant is finished flowering, deepening in color and persisting into fall. This easy care, drought tolerant, deer resistant perennial is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for low maintenance or native perennials.
Baptisia is easy to grow and will thrive with little maintenance. There are many potential applications in the landscape including meadow plantings, as a backdrop in borders, or as a specimen. Plants are very long-lived once established.
The roots of the DECADENCE® series run deep. What started as a fun botanizing trip in the lower Midwest with a fellow horticultarist blossomed into a complex hybridizing project for breeder Hans Hansen. Hans has made countless crosses with the many native Baptisia species he has collected across Texas and Oklahoma. These crosses have resulted in an array of seedlings with unique flower colors and plant habits. Only the very best have made it into the new DECADENCE® Series, which includes varieties selected for their desirable flower colors and shorter, more compact habit.
Baptisia grows best in full sun, though it tolerates light shade. If grown in too much shade, plants may require staking. Baptisia is easily grown in poor to average soil that is well-drained. Once established, it is moderately drought tolerant because of its tough, deep taproot. This perennial native may take a couple of seasons to become established, but is very long-lived once mature. Avoid disturbing established clumps.
- The genus name Baptisia comes from the Greek word bapto, meaning to dip, referring to its use as a substitute dye for indigo. The common name for Baptisia, False Indigo, also refers to this practice.
- From the Fabaceae Family, or the Bean or Pea Family.
- Trivia: Baptisia australis was the first ever subsidized agricultural crop in America.
The DECADENCE® trademark is owned by Walters Gardens, Inc.
Height: 3.5 Feet
Spread: 3.0 Feet
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: White Shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) - Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Low to Average Water Needs
Poor Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Late Spring - Early Summer
Attracts Butterflies
Bee Friendly
Deer Resistant
Seasonal Interest: Dried Seed Heads
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Cut Foliage, Drought Tolerant, Easy To Grow, Salt Tolerant, Specimen, Focal Point, Native to North America
Mature field grown roots shipped bare root.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
