General Plant Information (Edit)
| Plant Habit: |
Herb/Forb
|
| Life cycle: |
Perennial
|
| Sun Requirements: |
Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
|
| Minimum cold hardiness: |
Zone 4a -34.4 °C (-30 °F) to -31.7 °C (-25 °F)
|
| Maximum recommended zone: |
Zone 9b
|
| Plant Height: |
36 to 48 inches |
| Plant Spread: |
36 to 48 inches |
| Leaves: |
Unusual foliage color
|
| Fruit: |
Showy
|
| Flowers: |
Showy
|
| Flower Color: |
Other: Smokey violet
|
| Bloom Size: |
Under 1"
|
| Flower Time: |
Spring
Late spring or early summer
|
| Wildlife Attractant: |
Bees
Butterflies
|
| Resistances: |
Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Drought tolerant
|
| Propagation: Seeds: |
Will not come true from seed
|
| Propagation: Other methods: |
Cuttings: Stem
|
| Containers: |
Not suitable for containers
|
| Awards and Recognitions: |
Other: 2011 Great Plant Picks award winner
|
Posted by
Trish (Grapevine, TX - Zone 8a) on May 24, 2022 12:05 PM concerning plant:
'Purple Smoke' has the foliage of the white indigo and smoky blue flowers similar to its blue parent. It grows 4 feet tall and flowers for two to three weeks in early summer (in May in North Carolina). Even after flowering, the foliage and upright, rounded shape are attractive in a perennial border.
Like all false indigos, 'Purple Smoke' has a strong taproot, so it is long-lived and drought tolerant when established. It flowers best in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. A 3- to 4-year-old plant can produce up to 50 flower stalks, which stand above the foliage for good viewing and make great cut flowers. 'Purple Smoke' is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9 and is best planted in spring. It is widely available.
Posted by
Catmint20906 (PNW WA half hour south of Olympia - Zone 8a) on Aug 22, 2014 8:13 PM concerning plant:
False Indigo (Baptisia 'Purple Smoke') is a larval host plant for the Wild Indigo Duskywing Skipper and Henry's Elfin Butterflies.
Baptisia has special value to native bees and bumblebees. It also reportedly attracts a variety of beneficial insects, including hoverflies, parasitic mini-wasps, ladybugs, pirate, damsel, and big-eyed bugs. These beneficial insects feed on a wide range of garden pests.
Plant Events from our members
| Catmint20906 |
On May 2, 2015 |
Bloomed |
» Post your own event for this plant
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![Location: Clinton, Michigan 49236
Date: 2017-10-31
Baptisia 'Purple Smoke', 2017, [False Indigo], bap-TIZZ-ee-uh, 4x](/pics/2017-10-31/frankrichards16/1af2a3-250.jpg "Location: Clinton, Michigan 49236
Date: 2017-10-31
Baptisia 'Purple Smoke', 2017, [False Indigo], bap-TIZZ-ee-uh, 4x")
![Location: Clinton, Michigan 49236
Date: 2017-10-31
Baptisia 'Purple Smoke', 2017, [False Indigo], bap-TIZZ-ee-uh, 4x](/pics/2017-10-31/frankrichards16/721ab8-250.jpg "Location: Clinton, Michigan 49236
Date: 2017-10-31
Baptisia 'Purple Smoke', 2017, [False Indigo], bap-TIZZ-ee-uh, 4x")
![Location: Clinton, Michigan 49236
Date: 2017-10-31
Baptisia 'Purple Smoke', 2017, [False Indigo], bap-TIZZ-ee-uh, 4x](/pics/2017-10-31/frankrichards16/7f904b-250.jpg "Location: Clinton, Michigan 49236
Date: 2017-10-31
Baptisia 'Purple Smoke', 2017, [False Indigo], bap-TIZZ-ee-uh, 4x")
![Location: Clinton, Michigan 49236
Date: 2017-10-31
Baptisia 'Purple Smoke', 2017, [False Indigo], bap-TIZZ-ee-uh, 4x](/pics/2017-10-31/frankrichards16/8d8270-250.jpg "Location: Clinton, Michigan 49236
Date: 2017-10-31
Baptisia 'Purple Smoke', 2017, [False Indigo], bap-TIZZ-ee-uh, 4x")
