Plants in family fabaceae
Cercis canadensis 'Whitewater'
Cercis canadensis 'Whitewater' is a small ornamental tree with a weeping form and variegated leaves. It produces deep rose-purple flowers on bare branches in early spring, serving as an early nectar resource for butterflies. This tree is deer resistant and adaptable to full sun or partial shade, making it a versatile choice for gardens.
Baptisia 'Lighthouse'
Baptisia 'Lighthouse' is a tall perennial reaching up to 6 feet, with 26-inch long stalks of pure white flowers that bloom around April 10. It is the earliest flowering of the baptisias, making it a standout in spring gardens.
Lespedeza thunbergii 'Little Volcano'
Lespedeza thunbergii 'Little Volcano' is a deciduous perennial from Japan's Ryukyu Islands, growing up to 7 feet tall and 15 feet wide. It features small, dark green leaves and bright red-purple flowers that bloom from mid-September to mid-October. This plant is known for attracting butterflies and is drought-tolerant.
Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea
Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea is a Midwest native plant with blue-green, pea-like foliage and creamy yellow flowers. It grows up to 18 inches tall and 3 feet wide, making it a compact, deer-resistant addition to gardens.
Robinia pseudoacacia 'Lace Lady'
Robinia pseudoacacia 'Lace Lady' is a dwarf ornamental tree known for its twisting zig-zag branches and fragrant white spring flowers. It attracts hummingbirds and pollinators and features blue-green foliage that turns from apple green to bluish-green. This tree is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8 and has nitrogen-fixing capabilities, making it a valuable addition to gardens.
Baptisia 'Grape Taffy'
Baptisia 'Grape Taffy' is a compact, deciduous plant with glaucous green, pea-like foliage. It produces spikes of very dark purple flowers in late April, making it a striking addition to gardens. This plant is suitable for dry cactus gardens or pond-edge settings, offering both beauty and resilience.
Cercis chinensis 'Avondale'
Cercis chinensis 'Avondale' is a hardy, heat-tolerant tree with heart-shaped leaves that emerge with a reddish tinge in spring and turn yellow in fall. It attracts pollinators and birds, and is resistant to pests, diseases, and deer. Best grown in full sun in cooler climates or part sun in warmer zones, it prefers moist, well-drained soil.
Baptisia 'American Goldfinch'
Baptisia 'American Goldfinch' is a hybrid perennial developed by Hans Hansen, known for its striking pure yellow flowers that bloom in late April. This plant forms a clump about 3.5 feet tall and 5 feet wide, making it a substantial addition to gardens. It is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, thriving in full sun and well-drained soils. 'American Goldfinch' attracts pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds, adding life and movement to the garden. Its vibrant blooms and robust growth make it a popular choice for cottage and prairie-style gardens.
Mucuna cyclocarpa
Mucuna cyclocarpa is a deciduous vining legume from Southeast China, known for its trifoliate pea-like foliage and dark purple flowers resembling ripe grapes. This plant does not set seed without hand pollination and is often grown for its ornamental value. It thrives in sunny locations and adds a tropical look to gardens.
Baptisia 'Dark Net'
Baptisia 'Dark Net' is a plant introduced in 2017, featuring genes from Baptisia albescens. It emerges and flowers with little foliage, producing 5-foot tall jet black stems and 2-foot long spikes of creamy white flowers around May 1. This plant is known for its glaucous green leaves that emerge after the flowers, offering a unique and striking presence in gardens.
Baptisia alba var. macrophylla 'Illinois Form'
Baptisia alba var. macrophylla 'Illinois Form' is a perennial plant known for its large, pure white flowers. It can grow up to 5 feet tall and is native to the United States. This plant is resistant to rabbits and attracts butterflies, making it a great addition to sun or part sun gardens.
Baptisia 'Brownie Points'
Baptisia 'Brownie Points' is a deciduous, drought-tolerant plant with upright green stalks and trifoliate green leaves. It forms a 3-foot-tall by 3.5-foot-wide clump and blooms with amber-colored flowers in late April. This deer-resistant plant is suitable for sun perennials and adds a unique touch to gardens with its distinctive foliage and flowers.
Baptisia 'Blue Candelabra'
Baptisia 'Blue Candelabra' is a tall, upright perennial introduced in 2018, reaching 56 inches in height. It features 2-foot tall spikes of densely spaced blue lavender flowers, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
Cercis canadensis 'Merlot'
Cercis canadensis 'Merlot' is a spring-flowering tree known for its deep pink blossoms and dark purple to burgundy foliage. This hybrid redbud is ideal for smaller landscapes, offering excellent drought tolerance and resistance to pests and diseases. Its thick, glossy leaves do not burn in the sun, making it a resilient choice for gardens.
Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Shademaster'
Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Shademaster' is a thornless and seedless tree known for its fragrant greenish-yellow flowers in spring and golden-yellow leaves in fall. It grows 25-40 feet wide and is resistant to ice storms and wind damage. This tree is tolerant of pollution, salt, and compacted soil, making it suitable for urban environments.
Pisum sativum var. saccharatum
This plant produces 4-inch delicious pods that are harvested and eaten when flat. It grows on short, 28-inch vines and resists mildew, pea enation virus, and leaf roll. It is an excellent freezer and late-summer variety and should be grown on a trellis.
Baptisia sphaerocarpa 'Hunt Co Texas'
Baptisia sphaerocarpa 'Hunt Co Texas' is a US native plant with rounded blue-green leaves and deer-resistant clumps. It features 12-inch tall spires of pure yellow flowers in mid to late April, followed by spherical tan seedpods in late summer. This plant is heat and drought tolerant, making it suitable for sunny gardens.