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What to Plant in Front of Baptisia Australis?

butterflygal21797

20 years ago

I'm looking for a complementary, low-growing perennial to plant in front of my baptisia australis plants. They sit at the back of a sunny border and are doing quite well, but after blooming, they tend to fan out in something of a fountain shape and look rather bare at the bottom. One possibility I've thought of was putting one of the shorter native asters in front. Any other suggestions?

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Comments (8)

joepyeweed
20 years ago
I would probably do prairie drop seed.
ahughes798
20 years ago
Prairie dropseed would be great! Little Bluestem, too. Hmmmmmmm....coreopsis tinctoria. Galliarda. Possibly Rubeckia Fulgida.
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Kevin, not only that, but a plant that you have to be sure you know where you want it because once it gets established, it's quite a job to move it. And I'm the kind of gardener that is forever moving plants. Having said that, I bought two small baptisia plants this spring and planted them in another bed...lol. They are pretty small still and hearing that there are smaller versions of it, I may look into that and dig up the others next spring. I bought some of the newer butterfly bushes that were supposed to be smaller versions and so far, they definitely are and I'm on year three this year. I've always tried to do as low maintenance as possible, but little by little, I seem to have ended up with plants or situations that still require a little something more than I thought I was going to have to do. Support for a Baptisia? No way...lol. Annabelle Hydrangea, I was under the impression it took care of itself and every year it's on the ground. Clearly if I had the right info before I bought it, I would have known that is to be expected. My fault on that one. But I do enjoy Annabelle, so next year, I'm going to stake it. *sigh*
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butterflygal21797
Original Author
20 years ago
Thanks for the ideas. I looked up prairie dropseed, and it looks pretty, but it isn't native to the central Maryland area where I live, and I'm really trying to just add plants that are native to my area.

I have little bluestem, but it tends to flop a lot in my garden, and as the baptisia is already flopping, I think I want something with a more sturdy habit.

Rudbeckia fulgida might be a possibility, but it tends to spread pretty rapidly in my garden, and I wouldn't want it to overrun the area.

I planted coreopsis tinctoria from seed this year, but seed packet had it listed as an annual. It was also pretty floppy. I have it planted among zinnias and tithonia, where it is doing fine as their sturdy stems help support it, but I don't think it could stand alone in my garden.
momamamo
19 years ago
How about milkweed (you'd have to check for height) or goldenrod or some kind of grass?
knottyceltic
19 years ago
What about Butterfly weed? (orange Asclepias tuberosa) Is that native to MD?

Barb
pondgaly
19 years ago
If you ever have the chance to visit Chanticlear Gardens near Wayne Pa. You will be blown away by the meadow planted with the dropseed and baptizia. I had seen it the first year of planting in 05 and can onl imagine it's beauty as it ages. They should have a website. And that may be one of the photos, if not it should be.
pondgaly
19 years ago
Butterfly correct spelling is Chanticleer and you'll find it listed under Public Gardens of Pa. I went thru the site and where it was planted was no longer there. I suppose the public gardens change out plantings quite often. But check out the site it is so wonderful.
butterflygal21797
Original Author
19 years ago
Well, after much consideration and research, I've decided to try the prairie dropseed (just placed an order with Prairie Nursery today). I looked at lots of pics, and it really is beautiful, especially in the fall. It's also a big plus that birds like the seeds. I'm also going to take Barb's advice and drop some butterfly weed seeds in that general area, too. I have lots of it in other areas of the garden, but none in that border.

Pondgaly, I took a quick look at Chanticleer Gardens' website, and you're right -- it's wonderful. I've bookmarked it so that I can take a closer look when I have more time. Looks like a great place to get some planting ideas. I may even try to visit one day.

Thanks to everyone for all their input. I never would have thought of prairie dropseed on my own, and I'm not sure it would have occurred to me to put butterfly weed there, either. That's what's so great about Gardenweb -- different perspectives.

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