Baptisia Collection

The collection consists of:

- x 1 Baptisia australis 'Alba' : a beautiful variety with pure white flowers, reaching a height of 1.20 m (4ft)

- x 1 Baptisia (x) australis 'Starlite Prairieblues' : a compact hybrid variety (90 cm (35in) tall when in bloom) with slightly earlier flowering, bicoloured and sparkling. Its flowers are a periwinkle blue with white tips at the base.

- x 1 Baptisia australis : the native botanical species from the central United States. The plant reaches a height of 1.50 m (5ft) when in bloom. Its flowering is a magnificent indigo blue.

Baptisias are close cousins of lupins, which are much better known in Europe. They are much less demanding in terms of moisture, but share with lupins a preference for acidic soils. A mix of compost and sand will suit them perfectly. Water regularly during the first few months to help them get established. Fertiliser is not necessary, as it would promote foliage growth at the expense of flowers. Allow for a spacing of 80 cm (32in) between plants, as Baptisia clumps can become imposing over time.

Plant the Baptisias from this collection in a small romantic scene, interspersed with three English roses, for example. In a wilder area, associate them with medium-sized grasses such as Pennisetum, Muhlenbergia capillaris, or small Miscanthus. Baptisias are authentic meadow plants that get along well with echinaceas, toadflaxes, or even with hybrid mulleins, equally understated and spectacular.