Baptisia Decadence® 'Sparkling Sapphires'

Baptisia Decadence® 'Sparkling Sapphires': Violet-Blue Gems for Salty Edges

Vivid violet-blue spikes that sparkle like somebody showing off a new ring at brunch. 'Sparkling Sapphires' is compact, tidy and fully aware of how good it looks in sunlight. YES, IT'S REAL. NO, YOU CAN'T TRY IT ON.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Baptisia hybrid
• Common Name: False Indigo
• Series: Decadence®, a Proven Winners® perennial
• Height: 75–90 cm (2.5–3 ft)
• Spread: 75–90 cm (2.5–3 ft)
• Flowers: Vivid violet-blue with a pale yellow keel, on spikes about 20 cm (8 in) long
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (June to July)
• Foliage: Deep blue-green to grey-green, forming a compact, upright clump
• Features: Salt tolerant, no deadheading needed

Where to Plant: At under a metre tall and wide, it fits the middle of a border, a foundation planting or a smaller urban yard. Because it tolerates salt, it works along driveways and walkways. The spikes are good for cutting, and the dark seed pods that follow can be dried.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Sparkling Sapphires' in a sunny, dry bed where blue spikes meet hot pink and purple. Phlox subulata 'Drummond's Pink' carpets the front at 10 to 15 cm with hot pink flowers in May and June. Echinacea SunMagic® Vintage Pink adds rosy pink coneflowers at 45 to 60 cm from June to September. Dianthus Rockin'™ Purple brings fringed purple clusters at 45 to 60 cm from June to September. Panicum 'Blood Brothers' stands behind at 120 to 150 cm with red-tipped blue-green blades.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun to part sun, in average to poor soil with good drainage. Don't fertilize. Water regularly in the first season, then only during long dry stretches. It builds a deep taproot and takes two or three years to reach full size. Pick a permanent spot, because Baptisia doesn't like being moved or divided. No deadheading is needed. Cut the stems back in late fall, or leave the pods standing for winter interest and tidy up in early spring.

History: Like the rest of the Decadence® series, 'Sparkling Sapphires' comes from the breeding work of Hans Hansen, introduced by Walters Gardens, who crossed wild Baptisia species collected in Texas and Oklahoma and kept only the seedlings with the best colour and most compact habit. The series was aimed squarely at gardeners who loved false indigo but didn't have room for the full-sized species.

Final Thoughts: No deadheading, no salt drama, no deer. Just jewellery for the sunny border that never needs insuring. PUT A RING ON IT.