Blue False Indigo
Baptisia australis
Fabaceae · perennial · native
Last updated
Quick Facts
Aecial Stage (Alternate Host)
Spring Emergence / Primary Infection
Phenological Calendar
As of May 13, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1906.2 to 2098.2 GDD₃₂. Blue False Indigo has passed 'first bloom' (1638 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of May 13, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,098 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,089 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 2,063 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,025 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,993 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,972 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,906 | 'First bloom' | — | — |
| 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 May 13, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 29, 2026, then climate normals.
Diseases: Other Associations (3)
Pests: Other Associations (1)
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.