A selection from open-pollinated seed collected from a complex hybrid of Baptisia [[tinctoria x alba] x open- pollinated, probably australis] developed by Dr. Jim Ault at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois. This plant boasts a striking upright, vase-shaped habit at its base with a dense broad head above. Extremely vigorous, a mature plant will produce more than a hundred stems. The exposed lower stems and foliage remain an attractive blue-green all summer. The plant covers itself in inflorescences 12" to 18" in length, which are held well above the foliage. Flowers initially open a pleasing lemon-yellow color, taking on a unique orange to violet blush with age. This is the only Baptisia selection to date with such colored flowers. Flowers begin to open in late May to early June in northern Illinois, and the plant remains in bloom two to three weeks. Mature plants measure 3' to 4' tall and 4' to 4½' wide. The emerging stems in spring exhibit an attractive purple color as long as night temperatures are cool. Long-lived and drought tolerant.
USDA Zones 4 to 8.