If I'm not mistaken, these are basically taproot type plants and not spreaders, right? From looking at the few images of root systems I've been able to find, it appears as though they'll only make top growth from the crown, and not be prone to sending up new shoots from underground systems. Does anyone know if this is correct?

My baptisia does spread somewhat from when it was first planted to around 2 to 3 feet in diameter. The crown does expand slowly in my garden if it gets larger than I want I just take a shovel and dig out around the edges a bit. I really do not have a problem keeping mine to the size I want in my garden even after fifteen years. Mine does not put out runners to different areas of the garden.

Thanks Betty.

I'm considering adding a clump of these to the center of the rock garden, and I wouldn't want them to pop up throughout. I'm still not sure if its size will work there, but if its habit is somewhat contained that's a point in its favor.

Chelle unless you can find a shorter type, I think it would be to large in a rock garden. Mine is
Baptisia australis and gets 3 to 4 feet tall in full sun and is planted near a fence to give it some support. I usually trim it back some after it blooms to keep it from shading out other plants.

Added: I looked mine up and it gets 3 to 4 feet across, mine could be that size. I have never measured it as it has room where it is planted.

The one I'm considering is a newer, more compact variety; Lemon Meringue @ 32" to 3' both ways. I think I'll set something in that spot for a size reference before I order and see how it looks. The surrounding area is already set with 24" plants, and the rest of the plants decrease in size as they descend the slopes, so I'm thinking it might look okay. This is also an unprotected area with full, pretty much all day sun, but baptisias perform well in a hot spot, right?

Chelle , that one sounds like it would work with the way you are putting your plants, your description sounds lovely. Yes it works in full sun that is what mine gets pretty much all day.

Thanks again!

I'm trying to work up my want-to to go outdoors and set up a visual, but the snow is really coming down now.

We had so much snow yesterday and last night at least six inches. I sure hope that is it for this spring. I had been out in the garden trimming back some plants that I left last fall for the birds to eat the seeds. We must have a bad case of spring fever.

Me too!


Okay, here's my mock-up. Blue-green "leaves" and "yellow" flowers! This contraption is about 36" high, and spread to about 4'. The plants directly around the thing have snow-flattened to about 18" or so...what do you think? Remember, this at is the top of the height range, and there's actually more space there during the growing season...everything's just laying down now.