This week: Baptisia’s remarkable winter foliage
Hello!
Winter is finally setting in. Pittsburgh had its first substantial snow this week, and some of perennials that had been holding onto their leaves finally let them go. One plant that is still hanging on is Baptisia australis. Commonly known as false indigo, this blue-flowered native with silvery green foliage dies back to an almost silvery gray-brown color. As far as dead plants go, this is a fairly remarkable color.
Baptisia blooms early in the summer with small, delicate blue flowers. While the flowers are somewhat fleeting, the foliage is spectacular and is a great shrub-sized backdrop for other plants. It is a great pick for pollinator gardens and is a host plant for a butterflies, moths, and skippers. You can even use it as greenery in cut flower arrangements.
Elsewhere:
I’ve noted my struggles with keeping closed terrariums alive in this newsletter a few times. This (unlocked) article by Margaret Roach in the New York Times provides a nice how-to which has me wondering if I should try again. Maybe the third time is the charm?
Have a great week,
Julie