Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Cherries Jubilee False Indigo: Maroon and Gold Before the Lavender
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Cherries Jubilee false indigo has one of the most unusual flower colors in the group. Deep maroon buds open into maroon-and-butter-yellow flowers that age to gold, so each spike carries three warm tones at once. Extra branching on the flower stems makes it especially free flowering, and it was rated a top performer in two major false indigo trials.
It is a great lavender partner. It likes the same sun and lean, well-drained soil, and its warm colors peak just as the lavender is getting ready.
Cherries Jubilee at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Baptisia 'Cherries Jubilee' |
| Flowers | Maroon and yellow bicolor aging to gold, on spikes 8 to 10 inches long |
| Foliage | Blue-green, three-parted leaves |
| Size | 30 to 42 inches tall; about 3 feet wide young, widening to 5 or 6 feet |
| Bloom | Starts late May, peaks early June |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators; deer resistant |
Warm against cool
Lavender is all cool purple and silver. Cherries Jubilee is maroon, butter yellow and gold over blue-green leaves. Put them together and each makes the other look richer. The false indigo blooms in late May and early June, so its warm spikes are finishing as the first lavender opens, handing the bed from one palette to the other.
After bloom, the blue-green foliage stays clean and shrubby all summer, a solid backdrop for the lavender in front. Because mature clumps widen to five or six feet, place it at the back of the bed or at a corner, and plant lavender far enough in front that it keeps its sun. The Companion Plant Planner helps you leave the right amount of room.
Planting and care
- Siting: choose a permanent spot. The deep taproot means established plants do not like to be moved.
- Soil: lean to average and well-drained. Soggy winter soil is the main cause of loss.
- Water: regular until established; drought tolerant afterward.
- Patience: expect a couple of seasons to settle in before it reaches full size and bloom.
- Airflow: give it room so the foliage stays clean after bloom in humid summers.
- Winter: fully hardy in Michigan with no protection. Cut stems down in late fall, or leave the dark seed pods standing for winter interest.
Cut flowers and seed pods
Cherries Jubilee is a good cut flower; cut spikes when the lower flowers are open. If you leave spent spikes on the plant, they form inflated seed pods that add interest into fall and winter. False indigo contains alkaloids and is mildly toxic if eaten, so grow it strictly as an ornamental.
Plug tray or bare root
Cherries Jubilee is offered as a 72-cell plug tray and as a bare root plant. Young plants are the best way to start a long-lived perennial that resents being moved later. See each product page for current availability, or visit the Wholesale Hub.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bloom well?
Usually a couple of seasons. Once settled, it is long lived and blooms reliably every year.
Is it shorter than other false indigos?
Yes, at 30 to 42 inches tall it stays shorter than many older types, though it still spreads wide with age.
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