Baptisia bracteata

Cream flowers form clusters or bracts on long panicles over compound elliptical leaves. Cream Wild Indigo is a compact, mounding legume with incredible wildlife value. Flowers in the Baptisia genus are unique in shape and while accessing nectar may be arduous to some insects, our native bumblebees gladly rise to the challenge. After their spring bloom time is over, flowers are replaced with large light green seed pods. As the pods mature, they turn blue-black and split open to reveal many brown seeds. With its deep taproot, Cream Wild Indigo can break through tough clay and provide stability to erodible soils. While this is valuable to gardens, it becomes harder to move once it is established. This taproot also makes it more drought tolerant but continuously soggy soil may lead to root rot. Roots work with soil microorganisms to make atmospheric nitrogen available to nearby plants and it is adaptable to poor soils. With its ability to withstand heat and humidity, this plant is low-maintenance and grows happily in sunny spots in the NC Piedmont. Cream Wild Indigo is a host plant for many insect species including Black-Spotted Prominent, Wild Indigo Duskywing, Hoary Edge, and Frosted Elfin butterflies.