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Baptisia Australis 'Purple Smoke'

Common Name: Blue Wild Indigo, False Indigo

Baptisia Australis ‘Purple Smoke’ — commonly sold simply as Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke’ — is a striking false indigo (Baptisia) hybrid known for its smoky violet-lavender flowers held above attractive gray-green foliage and charcoal stems. It’s one of the most popular hybrid selections for perennial borders, prairie plantings, and mixed beds.

Key features
Width / spread: 3–4 ft (90–120 cm) mature spread
Height: 4–5 ft (120–150 cm) tall at maturity, including flower spikes
Flower color: Smoky violet-lavender pea-like flowers on upright racemes
Bloom time: Mid to late spring (spring to early summer)
Foliage: Gray-green, textured clump forming
Form: Upright, clump-forming perennial
Life cycle: Herbaceous perennial

Growing conditions
Sun: Full sun to light shade (best flowering in full sun)
Soil: Average to well-drained; tolerates lean soils once established
Water: Moderate; drought tolerant once established
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–9

Landscape use
Specimen or focal plant
Back of perennial borders
Prairie or meadow gardens
Mixed perennial beds
Cut flower and pollinator gardens

Notes

A vigorous, long-lived perennial that often takes 2–3 years to fill out a full mound of foliage and blooms, and up to 4 years to reach peak display.

Produces abundant smoky violet flower spikes that contrast nicely with gray-green foliage and dark stems.

Great for structural and vertical interest in sunny garden beds.

Branding / horticultural information

Plant Type:	Perennial
Width:	3-4'
Height:	4-5'
Fragrant:	Not verified
Fruit:	Not verified
Growth Rate	Slow
Zone:	4–9
Deer Resistant:	Yes
Salt Tolerant:	Not verified
Drought Tolerant:	No
Attract:	Butterflies
Bloom Time:	Late Spring, Early Summer
Landscape/Use:	Container, Mass Planting
Soil Type	Clay, Normal, Loamy
Leaf Color:	Green
Fall Color:	Green