The indigo lupine, also known as blue husk, is an impressive perennial that needs a sunny location and, above all, a lot of space.
The indigo lupine (Baptisia australis), or blue husk, can add color to the garden. This is ensured by the intensively colored flower heads. Even outside the flowering period, the plant will not fail to have an effect. The indigo lupine owes this to the light green stems and leaves, which reach more than a meter in height. The broad-growing indigo lupine quickly conquers a place in the garden bed. During blooming between June and July (sometimes in August) the plant is a magnet for butterflies. Similarity to the garden lupine is based on the flowers. When it comes to maintenance, some differences become apparent.
Indigolupine - Origin
Because of the botanical name, one might assume that the plant comes from Australia. But this is not the case. Before Australia was discovered, the term stood for "southern". Again, this is a very simplified definition and ultimately in the eye of the beholder. The fact is: The idigolupine comes from North America.
Indigolupine - Use
The indigo lupine can be used in many ways:
- as a summer bloomer in a perennial border
- as an eye-catcher in discounts
- as a demarcation of seating areas and terraces
- as a butterfly pasture in the natural garden
- as a wild perennial in the cottage garden
- as a medicinal plant in the apothecary garden
Plant Indigolupine
| Indigo lupine / blue husk (Baptisia australis) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | upright, deep-rooted, broad-bushy, clumpy |
| Growth: | 100 - 150 cm |
| Growth: | 60 - 80 cm |
| Special Features: | attracts butterflies, hardy |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | dry to fresh, well-drained, low in humus |
Find the right location
It is very important that you give the indigo lupine the space it needs. The plants spread quickly and go wide in the process. The indigo lupineat least one square meter must be granted in sunny to semi-shady position.
» Tip: Blue Husk does not thrive in shade. At least three hours of sunshine a day are necessary for you to enjoy the growth and flowering of the indigo lupine.
The choice of location should be carefully considered, because the indigo lupine is long-lived and does not like to be transplanted. It can take four to five years for a stately perennial to develop. For the transition, the resulting gap in the bed can be filled with annual or biennial flowering plants.
The plant looks great in combination with the Burning Bush, which blooms at the same time, or the wine-red scabious.
Selecting the ideal substrate
As far as the substrate is concerned, the Indigolupine is less demanding. The plant thrives in any soil that is not too acidic and not too moist. The blue husk also does not get an oversupply of nutrients.
The soil should be permeable, sandy and humic. A lime-free and slightly rocky substrate is also ideal. Heavy clay soils can be made more permeable by adding sand or gravel.
Planting indigo lupine - step by step
- Select Location
- Prepare the ground thoroughly and upgrade if necessary
- Water plant
- Note the planting distance
- Dig the planting hole generously
- Insert plant
- Fill substrate and press down
- Water the plant well
The indigo lupine should be watered before planting. To do this, place the plant in a bucket or bowl of water. If no more air bubbles rise, the root ball has supplied itself with sufficient moisture.
Now the perennial is carefully removed from its plant pot. The planting hole is dug generously. The root ball should not be planted deeper than it was in the plant pot.
The soil is filled up and pressed down well. Then the soil should be watered abundantly. The best way to do this is to smear it with a lawn sprinkler. This allows the water to spread evenlyspread and the Blue Dye Husk will not be damaged.
Watering indigolupine correctly
Regular watering is very important immediately after planting. In the meantime, the soil may begin to dry out, but under no circumstances should it dry out. If the plant is kept too dry, it cannot develop as desired and remains short and lazy.
Once the plants have established themselves, drought can no longer harm them. Even in dry and hot summers, the plant will not suffer much damage even if it is not watered.
Fertilize indigolupine correctly
Basic fertilization is recommended in spring or when planting. If compost or horn shavings are worked into the soil, the indigo lupine will be supplied with plenty of nutrients in the first year.
Depending on the soil conditions, fertilizer can be applied again in early summer.
The best planting and care tips at a glance
| Occupation | What matters? |
| Select Location | preferably sunny needs a lot of space |
| Prepare the ground | permeable humos sandy |
| Plant Indigolupine | one square meter between plants water before planting |
| Casting indigo lupine | Water generously after planting No regular watering required later |
| Fertilize Indigolupine | Compost or horn shavings in spring |
Cutting Indigo Lupine
Perennials like the indigo lupine shed their above-ground plant parts in autumn and retreat into their rhizome. All you have to do in spring is remove the dead parts of the plant.
» Tip: In autumn, the dead leaves should not be removed from the plant, they protect the blue indigo lupine from frost.
Propagating Indigolupine
Those who want to multiply their indigo lupins have two options:
- Division
- Sowing
The division of the root ball is only possible with larger specimens. For this, the plant must be completely dug up. Remove dead plant parts from the indigo lupins. After dividing the plant, the root pieces are transplanted separately and cultivated as usual. This creates a new, full-fledged plant in just a few simple steps.
If you want to sow the seeds directly outdoors, you will often be disappointed. The preculture on the home windowsill or in the greenhouse is against itunproblematic. The seeds are placed in a shallow seed tray and lightly covered with soil.
Set up the planters warm, but not sunny. The substrate should be kept evenly moist, but not washed in.
» Tip: Moistening with a plant sprayer distributes the moisture best and prevents waterlogging.
Detect diseases and pests
The young plants are on the menu of snails. The seeds can be attacked by the edible bean weevil. Powdery mildew causes damage to foliage between late summer and fall.
It usually helps to give the indigo lupine a good shower.
Wintering Indigo Lupine
The robust indigo lupine is hardy and tolerates frost down to -18 degrees. If there are severe frosts, the hobby gardener can use brushwood or fleece as protection.