Baptisia 'Purple Smoke'

Trial: Perennial

Years Trialed: 2009 (planted in 2008; plants flowered second year; no data first year).


Baptisia 'Purple Smoke'

Good Qualities

Year 2

Pretty purple pods; More delicate foliage than Baptisia australis, flower color pleasing; Beautiful color, lots of strong stems with good length.


Problems

Year 2

Many of the plants did not survive - maybe it’s not as hardy as Baptisia australis, which grows like a weed for me; Did not cut any plants, as they were only 14 inches tall.

Insects or Diseases

Year 2

None.

Comments

Year 2

I liked the smaller scale of the plant and felt that the foliage could be useful as a filler in small table arrangements perhaps in Oasis (I did not test this), I’m hoping some will survive to year 3; We lost a lot of plants due to cultural problems: poor transplanting into clods, lack of water, lack of weed control, trying to keep the remaining plants alive.


Trial Data


Year 2


Baptisia 'Purple Smoke'
Plants died over winter (%) Plants flowering (%) Yield stems/plant¹ Stem length (inches)¹ Market Appreciation Rating² Repeat Again Rating² Ease of Cultivation Rating²
Average 16.7 58 6.3 19.7 4.0 3.0 3.5
Range of Responses 0-50 2-100 0-18 14-24 3-5 3-5 2-5


¹Data shown are from those respondents who harvested stems. Some respondents may not have harvested stems because they were too short. Flowering stems may be longer next year after plants are established. See comments section for more details.

²1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.


Supplier

Grow’n Sell 320 Lower State Rd. Chalfont, PA 18914 215-822-1276 FAX 215-997-1770