I’ve recently added a few new Baptisia cultivars—commonly known as false indigo—to the peony borders in my garden. They struck me as wonderful companions after I visited a local garden where they were blooming alongside peonies in perfect harmony. In this blog, I’ll explore their hardiness and how they fit into my growing collection as peony companions. Additionally, I’ll describe the wild species and available cultivars, and share some thoughts on growing and arranging their flowers.

Hardiness of Baptisia

These long-lived, hardy perennials are native to North America. Perfect for gardeners in colder regions, Baptisia offers a tough, low-maintenance option with striking spring blooms and reliable structure throughout the season. Most species and modern cultivars thrive in USDA zones 4 to 9. Some are hardy down to zone 3 with good drainage and shelter. They’re right at home in my zone 5 garden.

My growing collection

Last year, I planted my first three Baptisia: ‘Burgundy Blast’, ‘Cherries Jubilee’, and ‘Lemon Meringue’. The latter two are from the DECADENCE® series, a line of compact hybrids developed by breeder Hans Hansen and trademarked by Walters Gardens. In North America, some of these are commercialized as potted plants by Proven Winners.

According to the breeder, the series began with botanizing trips in the lower Midwest. It has led to exciting new crosses between native species from Texas and Oklahoma. The results are uniquely colored blooms and more manageable plant sizes, which are ideal for layered border design.

This season, I’m already adding ‘Pink Lemonade’, ‘Pink Truffles’, and ‘Vanilla Cream’. These are all from the DECADENCE® series. I’m also adding two other varieties called ‘American Goldfinch’ and ‘Honey Roast’. Will I be tempted to add more? Probably.

Garden companions with purpose

These newer cultivars bring compact habits and vivid flower colors that contrast beautifully with peonies. Their tidy form helps maintain structure in the mixed border while adding seasonal interest. They flower in late spring to early summer, just as the first peonies open. Their upright blooms add vertical interest and movement, while the blue-green foliage stays neat through summer—offering a clean contrast against the declining peony foliage.

Baptisia loves full sun and well-drained soil, much like peonies. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and practically carefree—a bonus when peony season hits its peak and time is at a premium. While they prefer full sun, the varieties can tolerate some light shade, especially in the afternoon. However, too much shade can reduce flowering and lead to a looser habit.

That said, Baptisia takes time to settle in. During the first year or two, growth is modest as the plant puts its energy into building a deep taproot. But by the third year, you’ll be rewarded with a fuller plant, reliable blooms, and a strong, low-maintenance presence in the garden. These plants have deep taproots, so they don’t like to be moved. I planned their placement carefully and ensured each plant has enough space to reach its mature size (about 3 to 4 feet wide).

Flowers with a wild heritage

Baptisia belongs to the legume family (Fabaceae), which it shares with peas, lupins, and clover. Its spiky, lupine-like flower clusters rise above the foliage in late spring, attracting bees and other pollinators. After flowering, they produce inflated seed pods that mature to a charcoal-black color and rattle when dry—adding ornamental interest into late summer and fall.

Originally, wild Baptisia australis bore deep indigo-blue blooms, giving rise to the common name false indigo. The yellow wild indigo (Baptisia sphaerocarpa) bears bright yellow flowers, expanding the natural color range. There are around 20 more species of Baptisia, all from North America.

As legumes, they can fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic bacteria in their roots, which naturally enriches the soil. This makes them excellent companion plants, especially in perennial borders where nutrient balance supports healthier growth across the planting.

Flowers with a modern twist

For years, the signature look of Baptisia sold at garden centers has been tall plants with smoky blue or yellow flowers and a bit of a wild, prairie character. In recent decades, breeders have transformed the original false indigos into a horticultural treasure trove. They have expanded the color palette to include buttery yellow, soft pink, dusky mauve, bicolor blends, and even near-black.

The newer varieties also feature more compact habits, which is a big improvement for home gardeners.

For instance, the shade of purple in Baptisia ‘Burgundy Blast’ is redder than the typical purple blue Baptisia australis. Dark wine purple flowers are produced over very dark blue-green foliage.

‘Cherries Jubilee’ has deep maroon buds open to bicolor maroon and yellow flowers held on strong scapes. Secondary branching on the flower stems makes this variety especially floriferous. And, as the flowers age, they turn gold.

Another bicolor in the series, ‘Pink Lemonade’, opens with soft yellow blooms that gradually shift to pink and finally to lavender-mauve—all on the same stem. It’s especially striking when all three colors appear at once. A contrast to the paler yellow of ‘Vanilla Cream’,

Walters Gardens even offers a cultivar called Baptisia ‘Golden Anniversary’, prized for its striking golden-yellow foliage and indigo-blue flowers. I just added it to my wishlist from one of my favorite local nurseries, Les Vivaces du Merle Bleu.

All this hybridizing, however, comes at a price—literally. Most named cultivars, especially from branded series like DECADENCE®, tend to be more expensive than typical perennials. That’s largely because Baptisia is slow to propagate. It takes time for young plants to develop their deep root systems, and divisions are tricky. Breeders often rely on tissue culture, which adds to production costs.

Still, when you consider their longevity, drought resistance, and pest-free nature, they’re a solid investment—if you have the space.

A few cautions with Baptisia

As much as I love the structure and reliability of Baptisia, they’re not without a few drawbacks, especially in a space shared with peonies.

A gardening friend of mine ended up removing hers from a peony border because the plants took up more space than expected. Even the compact cultivars can reach 3 to 4 feet wide once mature. This size can overwhelm nearby perennials if spacing isn’t generous from the start. It’s a useful reminder that checking mature size and spread is essential when selecting plants for mixed borders.

Another friend warned me that Baptisia has a deep, woody root system that makes them difficult to dig up or divide. Once established, they do not like to be moved—and digging them out is no small task. That’s why it’s worth planning their placement carefully and treating them as long-term residents in the garden.

Baptisia as cut flowers

I look forward to seeing my Baptisia bloom enough to use them as cut flowers. I have seen very little use of it on Instagram. From what I’ve read, they come with a few caveats.

Tips if you want to try:

• Cut in the cool of the morning when buds are just beginning to open.
• Plunge stems immediately into cool water.
• Use floral preservative to help extend vase life.
• Foliage and seed pods tend to last longer and are more durable than the blooms.

In summary, Baptisia may not be a go-to cut flower like peonies or lilies. However, it can be a unique accent. This is especially true for gardeners who enjoy using seasonal blooms straight from the garden.

Plant or not to plant?

Despite a few considerations, I still find Baptisia to be a valuable addition to my peony borders—especially when given mindful spacing and paired with sturdy companion plants that can hold their own.

If you love the look of tall, spiky blooms but are hesitant about Baptisia’s mature size and deep roots, lupines (Lupinus) offer a worthy alternative. They provide quick impact with bold color and a charming cottage garden feel. Just keep in mind that they’re shorter-lived and may require replanting, seedling control, or pest management.

Even after the flowers fade, Baptisia continues to earn its place. Its plume-like, blue-green foliage forms tidy mounds that remain attractive all summer. The textured leaves offer a cool-toned contrast in the border and set the stage for later-blooming perennials. I’m hopeful these new additions will blend beautifully with the peonies and their companions once they’re well-established in a few years.

In the end, adding new Baptisia cultivars to the peony garden is not just about aesthetics—it’s another way to deepen and diversify my gardening experience.