Baptisia australis

Known as the false indigo plant, Baptisia australis or blue false indigo is a plant that is sure to be a talking point. The blue-green leaves are like that of a tall, bushy pea plant. In early summer plants are topped with tall spires of large, violet-blue pea flowers like those of a large lupin, hence on of its many common names, false lupine. After the blooms fade, plants produce large seed pods, which ripen to a charcoal grey, making an attractive late feature—especially after an autumn or winter frost. The pods make interesting indoor arrangement features too, while the seeds inside rattle around, and are valued as children's rattles.

An herbaceous perennial forming a clump up to 120cm high, Baptisia australis syn. Baptisia confusa grows best in a sunny border, preferably on acidic soil. If your soil is more alkaline, you can make a dramatic display of it in a patio pot. This plant is so highly regarded, The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

The roots of blue false indigo dislike being disturbed, so, if you want even more plants, you can save the seeds to sow in spring. Common names include bastard lupine, false lupine, golden indigo, indigo weed, and tall false indigo.