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The most floriferous of the Prairieblues™ selections.

Baptisia Sandstorm

A profusion of flowers that begin creamy yellow and age to dusty-rose in a brilliant blend of colors.

Not only is this one of the most floriferous hybrids we have developed, it also pushes the boundary for color with its distinctly bicolored, light sandy-yellow flowers with violet markings that fade as the flowers age. From a distance, the flowers appear tan in color. The inch-wide blossoms are held well above the foliage on inflorescences as long as 24”. Plants bloom for three weeks commencing in mid-May (USDA Zone 5). Distinctly vase-shaped in bloom, the foliage continues to expand until the plants are broad-rounded mounds, densely foliaged to the ground. ‘Sandstorm’ is a second-generation B. australis × B. bracteata hybrid.

Please note: We don't sell plants. Asking your local retailer or googling the plant name is the easiest way to find someone selling our plants.

Please note: Download hi-res photos from the photo gallery at the bottom of the page.


Who Am I?

  • Common Name

    Sandstorm false indigo
  • Botanical Name

    Baptisia 'Sandstorm' PP25926
  • Type

    Perennial
  • US Native?

    YES
  • Origin

    The Prairieblues™ false indigos were developed by Jim Ault, Ph.D., at the Chicago Botanic Garden from crosses made between 1999 and 2004. The selections were developed from crossing Baptisia albescens (formerly B. alba), B. australis var. australis, B. australis var. minor, B. bracteata (formerly B. leucophaea), B. sphaerocarpa, and B. tinctoria in various c ombinations. All parent plants and selections were grown in-ground at the Chicago Botanic Garden (USDA Zone 5b) during the breeding and selection process.

  • Bloom Time

    Summer
  • Bloom Color

    Pale yellow to brownish-red
  • Fruit Time

    Fall
  • Fruit Color

    Gray

Cultural Details

  • Bloom Time

    Summer
  • Size

    4' tall by 5.5' wide
  • Hardiness Zone

    4-9
  • Light

    Full sun
  • Soil

    Moist, but well-drained, fairly adaptable to many soils
  • Moisture

    Drought tolerant once established
  • Disease & Pests

    False indigos exhibit good to excellent disease resistance. A seed weevil will predate the seed, but this does not detract from either plant health or display value. The genista broom moth caterpillar (Uresiphita reversalis) can seriously defoliate plants of Baptisia, but this tends to be more of a problem in warmer climes.
  • Landscape Use

    Borders, foundations, mass plantings, matrix plantings, naturalized gardens, commercial plantings
  • Propagation

    Softwood Cuttings, Tissue Culture

Available Photos

Hover over images to download hi-res files.