Baptisia ‘Hayefield Hybrids’ (False Indigos) [20 Seeds]

(1 customer review)

$4.50

Germination Information: I recommend these seeds for experienced seed-starters only, because they require some patience. It may take several months to see germination, and the plants may take several years to produce their first flowers. They tend to be worth the wait, however, and can live for many years without any special care.

There are a number of different ways you can approach germinating these seeds.

One route I have had good luck with in late winter to midsummer is nicking the seeds with nail clippers, pouring very hot water over them, letting them soak for a day or two, and then sowing in very warm conditions.

Another approach is to sow the seeds (about 1/4″ deep) in fall to mid winter. Set them outdoors in a spot protected from mice so they can germinate when conditions are right in spring.

Some references suggest inoculating baptisia seeds before sowing to enhance germination. I have not found that to be necessary, but I encourage you to do further research to learn about inoculation, and about other germination techniques, if you’re interested.

Note that this information will not appear on the seed packet you receive.

Please read the description as well before ordering.

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Description

False indigos (Baptisia) produce large, spiky flower clusters in late spring to early summer. The bushy plants eventually reach 3 to 4 feet tall in bloom. U.S. native. Full sun for best flowering. Perennial; Zones 3 to 9.

A few years ago, I collected seeds from light purple ‘Purple Smoke’ growing close to pale yellow ‘Carolina Moonlight’, blue Baptisia australis, and bright yellow B. sphaerocarpa. They flowered for the first time in the spring of 2019. The photo above shows the range of flower colors I ended up with on these natural hybrids: a variety of blues as well as yellows, peach, copper, and white, as well as bicolors. The plants had a range of habits (from low and bushy to more narrowly upright), and a few had dark stems. I collected the seeds for sale here from what I considered the most interesting and colorful of those open-pollinated plants. I can’t guarantee what colors you will end up with, though. If you want a specific flower color, you’re better off buying a flowering plant of a named cultivar. But if you have space to fill and enjoy surprises, I think you’ll enjoy growing out these seeds as much as I have.

Harvested in August 2021. At least 15 seeds.

Please read the germination information as well before ordering.

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1 review for Baptisia ‘Hayefield Hybrids’ (False Indigos) [20 Seeds]

  1. Deanna Clarkson (verified owner) –

    I had excellent germination from my Baptisia seeds from Hayfield. More of the seedlings seemed to germinate and survive than those I had received from other vendors, so I was very pleased with their success rate. As Nan says, they do take some years to mature, but I happily imagine that taproot sinking in deep to help them survive conditions like this summer’s drought, holding off on flowers until they are nice and settled. I purchased more of Nan’s Baptisia this fall in the hopes that as they all mature I can select some with interesting color variations. Regardless, they will be an excellent addition to the meadow-in-progress.

    Thank you so much for the update, Deanna. You’ll probably start noticing variation in the foliage of the seedlings next spring, and maybe a few flowers then too. Then they’ll just keep getting better year after year!
    -Nan

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