Baptisia

Arguably these herbaceous perennials are superior to the traditional lupins. Relatively easy to grow, with potentially good drought tolerance. They can be used as a back drop plant, or specimen plants in a sunny border. Upright stems, gently creating a vase-like shape, are clothed in neat foliage and topped with racemes of pea-like flowers. They tend to hold their shape after flowering. With much breeding of cultivated forms in the USA, new colour combinations are becoming available. Often bi-coloured flowers, emerging from a contrasting bud. An up-and-coming group of plants.