False Indigo (Amorpha fruticosa)

False Indigo (Amorpha fruticosa)



Looking for info on Stratification, Scarification, Seed saving & Germination

I merged your stuff with the following thread. I hope that is okay by you.

Hey all,

I've heard some great things about the nitrogen fixation and nectary properties of false indigo...I bought seeds but it looks like there are two completely different species. I hear guys like Eric Toensmeier talk more about Amorpha Nana but Baptisia seems more common. Anyone have experience with both of these plants?

I've only grown Baptista so I can't really say anything specific about the Amorphas. From what I can see though the biggest difference is that Baptista is an herbaceous perennial and the Amorpha is a small shrub. I do love my Baptista. I have the traditional blue/purple flowering one and also a yellow flowering one. They are lovely and showy when they bloom and have cool seed pods when they are done blooming. One thing to consider I suppose is that Baptista is a fairly late to emerge plant. This could be a concern if the area is going to get any foot traffic in spring and you don't want to have to worry about where you are stepping. I don't do fall garden cleanup but Baptista seems to be one of those plants that most traces disappear over the winter.

If it helps, here is blue indigo seed from Peaceful Valley Seeds: http://www.groworganic.com/hh-blue-indigo.html.