Plant Library

An index of the perennial plants grown and offered at Glenraven.
All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Baptisia alba

Baptisia alba

False Indigo

10365768040759|Baptisia alba|False Indigo|

A tall, upright perennial that rises quickly in spring and flowers in early summer with white, lupin-like spikes. Baptisia alba forms a substantial but not overly broad clump, remaining composed compared with some related species. After flowering, dark seed pods develop and persist well into winter, extending the plant’s presence beyond the bloom period. Once established, it is long-lived and requires little intervention.

|June|white|green|upright clump|perennial borders; meadow-style plantings; mixed plantings|150|120|full sun|average to dry|well-drained; adaptable to a range of garden soils|low|rapid spring growth from cool soil; tall flowering stems carrying white, lupin-like flowers; less bulky than some other species; black seed pods persist into winter; long-lived and not requiring division|yes|late spring flowering; seed pods persisting into winter|pollinators|4||upright habit; long-lived perennial; late spring flowering; persistent seed pods|//glenravennursery.com/cdn/shop/files/baptisia_alba.jpg?v=1767474958&width=800|
Baptisia australis

Baptisia australis

False Indigo

10365768073527|Baptisia australis|False Indigo|

An upright, long-lived perennial valued as much for its foliage as for its flowers. Baptisia australis develops sturdy stems clothed in glaucous green leaves, forming a substantial clump that remains clean through the growing season. Blue-violet, lupin-like flowers appear in early summer once plants are established, followed by renewed foliage growth that carries the plant through autumn. Best grown in full sun and well-drained soil, where it is left undisturbed to mature.

|June|blue|glaucous green|upright clump|perennial borders; mixed plantings; naturalistic gardens|150|150|full sun|average to dry|well-drained; lean garden soils|low|excellent blue sel.; a dense, deep-rooted perennial best left undisturbed once planted; foliage remains clean well into autumn before darkening with frost; flowering stems emerge after several years, followed by a strong summer flush of foliage; performs best without rich amendments |yes|late spring flowering; strong foliage through summer and autumn|pollinators|3||strong foliage presence; upright habit; blue-violet flowers; long-lived perennial; AGM; GPP; PPA|//glenravennursery.com/cdn/shop/files/baptisia_australis.jpg?v=1767475341&width=800|
Baptisia australis var. minor

Baptisia australis var. minor

False Indigo

10365768139063|Baptisia australis var. minor|False Indigo|

A more compact form of false indigo, developing at a slower pace than the species and remaining smaller in all respects. Pale purple-blue, lupin-like flowers appear in early summer above blue-green foliage with fine-textured leaflets. Baptisia australis var. minor is particularly well suited to smaller gardens where the presence of the genus is wanted without the scale.

|June|purple-blue|blue-green|upright clump|perennial borders; mixed plantings; smaller gardens|80|80|full sun|average to dry|well-drained; lean garden soils|low|smaller and slower to develop than the species; pale purple-blue, lupin-like flowers; fine leaflets with attractive blue-green colouring; a more proportionate choice where space is limited |yes|early summer flowering; refined foliage through the season|pollinators|3||compact habit; slower development; purple-blue flowers; suitable for smaller gardens|//glenravennursery.com/cdn/shop/files/baptisia_autralis_var_minor.webp?v=1767475833&width=800|
Baptisia sphaerocarpa

Baptisia sphaerocarpa

False Indigo

10365768204599|Baptisia sphaerocarpa|False Indigo|

A distinctive false indigo selected from a Texas collection, forming vigorous, multi-stemmed clumps with olive-green foliage. Flowering early in the season, it produces upright spikes of clear yellow flowers, followed by unusually round, marble-like seed pods that remain into winter. Compact in scale yet bold in character, this selection extends the seasonal range of the genus at the spring end.

|May|yellow|olive green|upright clump|perennial borders; mixed plantings; naturalistic gardens|55|60|full sun|average to dry|well-drained; adaptable garden soils|low|wild-collected selection; collection number AIT-005; noted for early flowering and distinctive round seed pods|yes|early spring flowering; persistent seed pods into winter|pollinators|5||early flowering; vigorous clump; yellow flower spikes; distinctive round seed pods|//glenravennursery.com/cdn/shop/files/placeholder_portrait.png?v=1766878564&width=800|
Beesia calthifolia

Beesia calthifolia

Beesia

10365768237367|Beesia calthifolia|Beesia|

Those familiar with stamina of cut leaves of galax in flower arrangements will be equally impressed with lasting power of this evergreen native of Yunnan, China. The glossy, lightly marbled heart-shaped leaves grow from short rhizomes forming dense crown. Sparse starry white flowers appear along stiffly upright open spikes. On established plants these spikes appear throughout growing season.

Synonym of Beesia deltophylla. Only remove unsightly foliage at end of winter and there is little. Seems resistant to slugs and insects. The evergreen foliage lasts exceptionally well in arrangements. The heart-shaped leaves with light marbling provide attractive texture. Suitable for woodland gardens and shade borders.

|May–Sept|white|green evergreen|basal clump|woodland gardens; shade borders; cutting gardens|40|35|part shade to shade|average|humus-rich moisture-retentive|low|syn. B. deltophylla; evergreen; slug and insect-resistant; long-lasting cut foliage; Yunnan China native; little winter cleanup|yes|continuous late spring through fall bloom; evergreen foliage year-round|pollinators|5||glossy heart-shaped leaves; evergreen; lightly marbled; starry white flowers; slug-resistant; Chinese native; long-lasting cut foliage|//glenravennursery.com/cdn/shop/files/placeholder_portrait.png?v=1766878564&width=800|