Baptisia perfoliata, Catbells

Baptisia perfoliata

Synonym(s)

(Crotalaria perfoliata)

Common Name(s)

Catbells

Phonetic Spelling

bap-TEE-zee-uh per-foh-lee-AY-tuh

Description

This Southeast native is another of the best, but overlooked baptisias, growing in dead, dry sand. The blue-grey rounded foliage is eucalyptus-like...even with the perfoliate leaves. In early summer, the clumps are adorned with yellow pea-like flowers in the leaf axils. B. perfoliata turns brown in early fall but remains a sturdy structural plant in the garden into the winter...also great in flower arrangements.

These plants were grown from our wild collected seed from Charlton County, GA, near the Florida State line.

Family

Fabaceae

Native Range

FL, GA, SC

Hardiness Zone(s)

6a --to-- 9b

Lifespan

Herbaceous, Long-lived, Perennial

Habitats

Native to deep sands but takes to garden conditions quite well.

Exposure

Full Sun --to-- Part Shade

Growth Habit

Sprawling 24" tall x 36" wide

Soil Texture

Clay, Loam (Sand/Silt/Clay), Sand

Propagation

--Seeds
--Cuttings

Moisture

Somewhat moist, no flooding --to-- Very long, very dry periods

Salt Water Tolerance

--

Salt Spray Tolerance

--

Attracts

Bees, Moths, Pollinators

Recommended Uses

Butterfly Gardens, Children's Gardens, Cottage Gardens, Interesting Foliage, Native Garden, Native Planting

Pot Size

4in. Tall Pot (32 fl. oz./0.95 L)