Baptisia 'GRAPE TAFFY'

Baptisia – false indigo is a tough and long-lived perennial native to S.E. USA and E. North America. The genus comprises of about 20 species which grow mostly in dry and sunny locations. In Europe it was almost absent until the end of the second millennium. But at the turn of the century it slowly became available in garden centres where mostly hybrids combining the best of each species are offered. These tall perennials exhibit a longevity of 15-20 years and make a stunning display of erect, lupine-like inflorescence.

Grape Taffy is a baptisia hybrid bred by Hans Andrew Hansen from Walters Gardens Inc., Michigan, USA. Its pea-like flowers are composed in about 30 cm long, erect racemes, and mean a colour break-through because baptisia usually makes blue and indigo shades but Grape Taffy contains red pigment and does resemble ripe berries of red grapevine.

Palmate leaves are divided into 3 ovate, mid green leaflets. Grape Taffy is possibly the most compact baptisia available to date as it seldom exceeds 60 cm tall and about 80 cm wide in maturity. Patent No. PP26587 was granted in 2016.

False indigo has just one disadvantage – it is extremely slow to establish hence its high retail price. But once it does it multiplies the number of stems year after year and makes almost a shrub-like appearance owing to which it is often used as a companion plant among non-flowering shrubs and small trees. It was voted Perennial of the Year 2019 by the Czech Perennial Association.

Baptisia needs full sun and warm soil. It is not picky about soil pH but requires well-drained ground. Sand and gravel do miracles as they warm up the soil by getting rid of all excess water. Feeding is not required. In late autumn or early spring remove all stems just above ground level. Hardy to min. -34 °C (USDA zone 4), perhaps a few degrees lower.

Last update 05-04-2021