Perennials:  'B'  2008

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All Plants on this page are in Trade Quart Pots (Qt.) which are 1.68Pints (794 ml) liquid measure. 

(Similar to a true nursery quart on top width and height, but tapered to a smaller bottom for lighter shipping.)

Please note, the White Baptisias have been undergoing much name changing and reclassification.  We're going with the Missouri Botanical Garden listing which coincides pretty much with GRIN.   Please look at the Synonyms if you can't find what you're looking for.  This is complicated but I feel, according to the thought of the moment, that our listings are correct!

Basically, there is really one white Baptisia with two forms of seed pods -- handing and upright.  That's the only difference!  Well that and that they've each had about a gazillion name changes.

$8.99 Qt.  

Baptisia alba (Pendula Group)  (B. leucantha, B. alba var. alba) White False Indigo    Zone: 5-9a     

This is such a wonderful plant! BRIGHT white pea flowers in summer on purple stems, followed by hanging black seedpods. Stays compact and neat.  A wide zone range, it grows anywhere in well-drained soil.  Taprooted so it doesn't want to be moved once established.  Drought tolerant. It's the southeastern form of B. alba and is distinguishable by it's large black pendant seed pods and shorter height.  Native from NC to Florida.  The difference in this and following is the PENDULOUS seed capsules and according to MOBOT it blooms a bit later.

Soil: Well-drained   H: 24-48"   W:  24"  B/M:  White/6-7

New 5/25

$11.99 Qt.  

$8.99 Qt. 

Baptisia alba var. macrophyllya    False White Indigo      Z: 5-9a     

Erect or spreading herb that, in early summer, produces terminal, many flowered racemes of creamy white flowers to 1" across, followed by pendent, pea-like, olive-green, seed pods that turn black. Beautiful in the informal border or even a dry, sunny bank as it's drought tolerant. The single difference between this and Baptisia alba (Pendula Group) is so slight -- the seed pods are more hanging on the preceding and more upright on this, the B alba var. macrophyllya form. 

Soil: Deep, well-drained, sandy      H: 24-48" W: 24"      B/M: White/ 6-7   

$7.99 Qt. 

Baptisia australis      Blue False Indigo     Zone: 3-9   

Bright green foliage with violet-blue flowers followed by prominent dark seedpods which can be used for winter arrangements. Fabulous color & a great garden plant. A mainstay for any substantial border. Doesn't really like to be moved. The deer will usually pass this one by -- but not people! Deadhead & then remove top 1/3 of plant after bloom.  Univ. of Georgia Plant Trials gave it a perfect score of 5 out of 5!  Missouri Botanical Garden 'Great Plants' Selection.  Host plant for the Wild Indigo Duskywing Butterfly

Soil: Deep, well-drained, sandy   H: 48-60" W: 24"   B/M: Violet blue/ 6-7 

$8.99 Qt. 

Baptisia minor  (Baptisia australis var. minor)   Dwarf False Indigo     Zone: 3-9     

This cousin of Baptisia australis is actually far and away the the best member of the genus.  About half the size of B. australis, both in height and in leaf size -- more lacey, actually --, it's still loaded from the middle of April thru early May with tons of blue-lavender flowers on 12-18" spikes that are unparalleled and never get 'Lazy' but stand up beautifully!  The huge black seed pods which arrive in summer, add garden interest.  A wonderful, spiky architectural form, drought and heat tolerant and pretty silver-blue-green foliage.  Do not move once established.

Soil:   Deep, well-drained, sandy      H: 18-24" W: 18-24"       B/M: Blue/4-5

$9.99 Qt. 

Baptisia sphaerocarpa   (B. viridis) Yellow Baptisia or Falso Indigo     Zone: 4-9   

The best of the yellow forms and with enough flower power for two plants.  Native to Missouri and Texas, it grows anywhere from wet to sandy soils!  While it might not catch your attention in the wild, like many Natives, move it to a garden with a little extra attention, good soil and fertilizer and it will thrill you.  Tony Avent reports that his 2' tall, 4" wide plant has displayed over 130 flower spikes at once AND the spikes are 12-15" tall!  Now that's bloom power!    The many blooms give way to round seed pods rather than elongated pods.  Resents being moved after being established like all tap-rooted plants but that's what makes it so drought tolerant.

Soil: Any      H: 24-36"   W: 48"       B/M: Yellow/April

$12.99 Qt.

Baptisia 'Solar Flare Prairieblues'^TM PPAF     False Indigo        Zone: 4-9

An introduction from Dr. Jim Ault's  of Chicago Botanic Garden's breeding program. "This plant boasts a striking upright, vase-shaped habit at its base with a dense broad head above. Extremely vigorous, a mature plant will produce over 100 stems. The exposed lower stems and foliage remain an attractive blue-green all summer. The plant covers itself in inflorescences 12" to 18" in length, which are held well above the foliage. Flowers initially open a pleasing lemon-yellow color, taking on a unique orange blush with age. This is the only Baptisia selection to date with such colored flowers. Flowers begin to open in late May, with peak floral display two weeks later. The emerging stems in spring exhibit an attractive purple color as long as night temperatures are cool." Chicagoland Breeding Program Fact Sheet and Photos

Soil: Well-drained     H:3' (5' IB)  W: 4'    B/M: Yellow w/ Orange/5-6

$12.99 Qt.

Baptisia x 'Starlite Prairieblues' PPAF  Bicolor False Indigo        Zone: 4-9

"A selection from a controlled cross of Baptisia (australis x bracteata) conducted by Dr. Jim Ault at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois. A medium-sized plant growing to only 3' tall, this selection boasts 24" flower stems bearing a profusion of bicolored blooms. Deep violet-lavender buds unfurl into lovely periwinkle-blue blooms with contrasting butter-cream keels. This is one of the first Baptisia to bloom in the trials at the Chicago Botanic Garden (USDA Zone 5). A vigorous, but well-maintained plant with somewhat arching branches, reminiscent of the B. bracteata parent."   Chicagoland Breeding Program Fact Sheet and Photos

Soil: Well-drained     H:3' (5' IB)  W: 4'    B/M: Lavender w/ white    /5-6

$12.99 Qt.

Baptisia 'Twilite Prairieblues'^TM PPAF    Bicolor False Indigo        Zone: 4-9

The first introduction from Dr. Jim Ault's (Chicago Botanic Garden) breeding programs.  This B. australis x B. sphaerocarpa hybrid has brought us a strong plant with excellent hybrid vigor - like a 'Baptisia on steroids", Ault.  In their third year, it should produce up to 100 lupine-like flower spikes of a unique, stunning deep violet-purple (copper in effect) highlighted by a lemon-yellow keel.  And if that's not enough, these inflorescences can be up to 32" long.  Chicagoland Breeding Program Fact Sheet and Photos

Soil: Well-drained     H:3' (5' IB)  W: 4'    B/M: Violet-purple w/ yellow/5-6

$10.99 Qt. 

Baptisia x 'Carolina Moonlight'  Yellow Baptisia or Falso Indigo     Zone: 4-9   

Wow!  A hybrid between B. sphaerocarpa (above) and B. alba.  This new introduction from Curator of Native Plants, Rob Gardner at the NC Botanical Garden is a sister to the wonderful Baptisia 'Purple Smoke'.  It's easy to grow and exhibits great hybrid vigor yard wide beauty with blue-green foliage topped in May with gorgeous 18" spikes of soft butter yellow blooms.  Drought tolerant when established, heat-loving and long lived.  Can have as many as 40-50 flower spikes and is disease and insect resistant 

Soil: Well-drained     H: 50"  W:36"     B/M: Butter yellow/4-5

$10.99 Qt. 

Baptisia x 'Purple Smoke'   Hybrid Baptisia/False Indigo      Zone: 4-8         

Discovered by NC Botanical Garden (fact sheet on this plant), apparently a chance hybrid of B. minor var. aberrans  and B. alba with charcoal-gray stems of alba and the blue color of B. minor var. aberrans although the color is, as you might guess, more purple - "enchanting smoky violet with a purple eye" according to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.  A vigorous grower, it's destined for greatness.  Resents being moved after being established.   Takes 3-4 years to mature but oh so worth the wait when it may well produce 50 flowers spikes on one plant.  These glorious lupine-like spikes sit well atop the plant.

Soil:  Well-drained    H: 48-56" W: 30"      B/M: Smokey Purple Blue/

"I order a lot of plants each spring and my favorite nurseries have been Digging Dog and Plant Delights.  Your selection of Salvias and plants are fantastic. And when they arrived, we could not believe the size and quality of the plants. You are now our favorite nursery and we'll be ordering again............very soon."                    Steve in Oakland, NJ

$7.99 Qt.  

Begonia grandis ssp. evansiana   Hardy Pink Begonia       Zone: 6-9     

Bulbous begonia, classified as tuberous, with branched stems bearing ovate, notched, olive-green leaves, 4" long, pale green, sometimes red, beneath. Pendent cymes of fragrant pink flowers, to 1 1/4" across are born in summer. Seed capsules look like little butterflies.  Showy plant for shade.  Atypical Roots

Soil: Moist, woodland      H: 24" W: 24-36"      B/M: Pink/ 8-9 

$7.99 Qt.  

Begonia grandis ssp. evansiana 'Alba'    Hardy Begonia      Zone: 6-9     

Bulbous begonia, classified as tuberous, with branched stems bearing ovate, notched, olive-green leaves, 4" long, pale green, sometimes red, beneath. Pendent cymes of fragrant white flowers, to 1 1/4" across are born in summer. Seed capsules look like little butterflies. Much more rare than the pink form. Showy plant for shade. Atypical Roots

Soil: Moist, woodland      H: 24" W: 24-36"      B/M: White/ 8-9 

$6.99 Qt.  

Belamcanda chinensis      Blackberry Lily    Zone: 5-10   Sun/PS 

Showy, long-lasting 2" flowers of apricot orange are freckled darker. Ideal for cutting when in flower and drying when the blackberry looking seed pods are present. DROUGHT TOLERANT. 14-18" leaves resemble those of an iris. Does best w/ long, hot summers -- how lucky for us! Atypical Roots

Soil: Poor, well-drained     H: 36" W: 10-12"      B/M: Apricot with dark orange spots/ 7-8 

$6.99 Qt.  

Belamcanda chinensis 'Hello Yellow'       Blackberry Lily   Zone: 5-10  

A beautiful and rare, dwarf yellow form of Blackberry Lily. Yellow flowers have spots, similar to 'Freckle Face'. Like the others, it loves a long, hot summer. Ideal for cutting when in flower and drying when the blackberry looking seed pods are present. DROUGHT TOLERANT. Atypical Roots

Soil: Poor, well-drained    H: 24" W: 10-12"    B/M: Yellow/ 7-8 

New 2/22

$8.99 Qt.  

$9.99 Qt.  

Bergenia ciliata      Hairy Bergenia       Zone: 5-8      

Featured in Horticulture Magazine February 2006. This Asian (China, Nepal, Afghanistan) plant looks like an African Violet w/ 12" huge, soft, furry leaves. 10" pendulant flower spikes described as, "the most exciting member of the genus" which performs "well in the south" where others don't.   Great, rare plant. Any soil but very dry or soaking wet. Slow spreader. DECIDUOUS leaves fringed with hairs that turn bright red in autumn.  We've been growing this one for several years & just love it!

Soil: Most any but very dry    H: 6"(10"IB) W: Indef.    B/M: White to light pink/4-5 

$7.99 Qt.  

Bergenia cordifolia 'Rotblum'     Red Pigsqueak      Zone: 3-8     

The name is German for 'Red Flower' -- a rare instance where something is gained in translation. It also has red winter leaves. Use as a groundcover or pathway edging. Slowly spreads by underground runners. Cut leaves useful in arrangements as they last several weeks in water. Springtime display of saxifrage-like flowers. DO NOT OVER FERTILIZE.  It makes the leaves get brown edges in summer.

Soil: Ave. but moist best    H: 15-18" W: 12-15"      B/M: Red/ 4-5 

$8.99 Qt.  

Bergenia 'Pink Dragonfly'    Pink Pigsqueak       Zone:4-8    

"One of the treasures Dan (Heims) acquired in Germany from Anne Eskuche, this medium-sized Bergenia offers a lot ... narrow leaves (like dragonfly wings), coral pink flowers like NO other Bergenia, and shiny plum-red winter color. Our top-selling Bergenia." Terra Nova   Don't overfeed.
Soil:  Moist but well-drained     H: 12"(15"IB) W:12"     B/M:  Coral Pink/ 4-5

$9.99 Qt.  

Bergenia purpurescens var. delavayi    Chinese Bergenia      Zone: 3-9A   

As above but with rose-red flowers atop of reddish stems. Plants grow best in rich moist soils and make ideal ground cover plants. Like Heucheras, they should be divided and planted deeper or mulched with a well composted mixture.  Blooms a bit later than the species and with a somewhat darker bloom. This is absolutely a stunning plant in winter.  

Soil: Moist but well-drained    H: 6-8"(14-16"IB)  W: 12-16"     B/M: Rose red/4-5

$9.99 Qt. 

Bergenia stracheyi      Chinese Bergenia     Zone:  4a-8      

From Central Asia and the Himalayas, this beautiful species is also one of the hardiest.  The flat, very shiny leaves are smaller than many species (5" x 3"), obovate with a fringe of hairs, very short leaf stalks and it has showy, drooping pink flowers in spring.  Appreciates morning sun or light shade in warmer areas but will also grow in full sun.  While easy to grow, it doesn't like being crowded by other plants.  

Soil: Moist but well-drained    H: 9"  W: 12"     B/M:   Pink/5-6

New 2008

$17.99 Qt. 

Beschorneria 'Ding Dong'   False Red Agave      Zone:  7-10

A Plant Delights introduction of B. decosteriana x septentrionalis from Mexico selected for its huge proportions.  Massive 3' wide rosettes composed of thick, Rhodea-like green lance-shaped leaves.  When mature, the clump produces phallic spikes in spring reaching to 7' tall which start to branch out and turn rhubarb red and eventually produces multitudes of red and green bell-like flowers that gradually open over a several week period.  Fabulous in a desert themed garden and yet we've seen of photo of them in front of a very formal home combined with peach colored roses to great effect!

Soil: Moist but well-drained        H: 36" (85"IB)   W: 36"        B/M: Red/ 4-5

$9.99 Qt. 

Bletilla striata   (B. hyacinthina)      Hardy Orchid       Zone: 5-9      

Deciduous terrestrial orchid from China, Japan. Loose spike of magenta or white flowers 1 1/4" long for 6 weeks. Broadly, ribbed, lance-shaped leaves, 20" long. Needs shade in very hot summer. One of the easiest orchids to grow. Plant tubers 4" deep in zone 6-11. Can also be grown in containers and brought in for winter.  Atypical Roots

Soil: Moist but well-drained     H: 18-24" W: 18-24"      B/M: Magenta/ 6-7 

New 2008

$9.99 Qt. 

Bletilla striata 'Alba'   White Hardy Orchid      Zone: 5-8   

As above but with loose spikes of white flowers 1 1/4" long for 6 weeks.   This is such a wonderful and charming plant, especially in masses which will eventually happen.  Atypical Roots

Soil: Moist but well-drained     H: 18-24" W: 18-24"     B/M: White/ 6-7 

$10.99 Qt. 

Bletilla striata 'Alba Variegata'   Variegated Hardy Orchid        Zone: 5-9    

Deciduous terrestrial orchid from Japan & China. Loose spikes of white flowers 1 1/4" long for 6 weeks. Broadly, ribbed, lance-shaped leaves w/ narrow white margin. Needs shade in very hot summer. Plant tubers 4" deep in colder zones. Can also be grown in containers & brought in for winter. The EXTREMELY RARE Variegated Form!  Atypical Roots

Soil: Moist but well-drained    H: 18-24" W: 18-24"    B/M: White/ 6-7 

Bletilla striata 'Innocence'  White Hardy Orchid          Zone: 5-9

Pure white blooms with a variable lavender blush at the lip.  Introduced by We-Du Nursery in 2001.  Easy to grow,  like they all are, and a good multiplier.  Atypical Roots

Soil: Moist but well-drained     H: 15-20" W: 18-24"     B/M: White/ 6-7 

New 2008

$10.99 Qt. 

Bletilla striata 'Variegata'  (B. striata albostriata)  Hardy Orchid, Variegated          Zone: 5-9

Deciduous terrestrial orchid from China, Japan. Loose spikes of magenta flowers 1 1/4" long for 6 weeks. Broadly, ribbed, lance-shaped leaves w/ narrow white margin. Needs shade in very hot summer. One of the easiest orchids to grow. Plant tubers 4" deep in colder zones.  Can also be grown in containers and brought in for winter. RARE!  Atypical Roots

Soil: Moist but well-drained    H: 18-24" W: 18-24"    B/M: Magenta/ 6-7 

$7.99 Qt.  

Boltonia asteroides 'Pink Beauty'    Boltonia 'Pink Beauty'       Zone: 4-9    

Boltonias are tall, rounded plants with small bluish-green leaves. They are covered with small daisy-like flowers in late summer into early fall. 'Pink Beauty' is a tall hybrid with 4" pink flowers. Beautiful with Fall anemones. Will tolerate average soil but not grow as tall as they do in moist soil. 

Soil: Most any but dry    H: 6' W: 3'     B/M: Pale pink/ 8-10    

$7.99 Qt.  

Boltonia asteroides 'Snowbank'    Boltonia 'Snowbank'        Zone: 4-9     

Boltonias are tall, rounded plants with small bluish-green leaves. They are covered with small daisy like flowers in late summer into early fall. 'Snowbank' grows 4' by 4' with bright white flowers so profuse you will understand how it gets its name. 

Soil: Most any but dry   H: 3-4'  W: 3-4'    B/M: White/ 8-10    

$7.99 Qt.

Boltonia asteroides var. latisquama 'Jim Crockett'     Semi-Dwarf Boltonia        Zone:4-9          

U. of Mass.' Dr. Thomas Boyle has developed a new cultivar of Boltonia asteroides named for Jim Crockett (the original host of television's Victory Garden.)  It has 1-3" mauve, daisy-shaped blooms with yellow centers from July 'til late September above blue green foliage which is resistant to powdery mildew.

Soil: Most any but dry     H: 20"  W: 15"       B/M: Mauve/7-9

New 2-27

$7.99 Qt.  

Boltonia asteroides var. latisquama 'Nana'   Boltonia, Dwarf   Zone: 4-9   

'Nana' is a dwarf variety that is not as heat tolerant but that's not a problem for us. It doesn't do as well in Zone 9 - Florida! Here, it's a little stunner! Just like it's big siblings (4-6'), only a better size for some gardens. It grows 24" tall with pinkish white flowers -- light than 'Jim Crockett' above.

Soil: Most any but dry    H: 18-24" W: 18-24"    B/M: Pinkish white/ 8-10    

$7.99 Qt.  

Boltonia decurrens - Decurrent Aster, Claspingleaf Doll's Daisy, Winged False Aster  Zone 4-8 

Endemic to Illinois and central eastern Missouri, Boltonia decurrens is one of the rarest native species in this region. In fact, until two Missouri Botanical Garden botanists rediscovered it north of St. Louis in 1986, it was thought to be extinct!  It differs from B. asteroides (it used to be classified as a form of that species) by decurrent/clasping leaves on older stems and a lack of rhizomes.  Cut back by 1/3 in late spring/early summer and then this tall plant won't need support.  Profuse blooms literally cover the plant in late summer, early Fall.  Listed on the Federally Protected List. These were done with permission from a well known Garden.

Soil:  Average to wet   H: 60-80"  W: 24-48"    B/M:  Pale pink to white/8-10