Blue False Indigo
Baptisia australis
Fabaceae · perennial · introduced
Last updated
Well-suited to Zone 8b. Deep taproot makes it very drought-tolerant once established, which is valuable during increasingly dry Puget Sound summers. Nitrogen-fixing legume; does not need fertilizer. Full sun produces best flowering. Tolerates clay soils well. Slow to establish (2-3 years to full size) but very long-lived and low-maintenance once settled. No serious pest or disease problems reported by MBG, NC State, or Clemson.
Plant Profile
Size & Form
Site Requirements
Ornamental Interest
Active Conidial Spread
Uredinial Stage (Summer)
Diseases: Other Associations (3)
Pests: Other Associations (1)
Phenological Calendar
As of June 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2435.5 to 2672.8 GDD₃₂. Blue False Indigo has passed 'first bloom' (1638 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Jun 3, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,673 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,665 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 2,610 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,570 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 2,535 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 2,533 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 2,436 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
View full calendar (1 stages)
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| ● 'First bloom' BBCH '61' NOW | 1638 | '' |
Source: 'Master catalog (UMD), GDD50 base' About GDD₃₂ →
Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Jun 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 19, 2026, then climate normals.