Use & Care NotesCompanion Plants
Golden Anniversary False Indigo: Blue Spikes Over Gold Leaves
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Golden Anniversary false indigo was the first false indigo to pair indigo blue flowers with golden yellow foliage. The three-part leaves, bright gold to chartreuse, form a dense, ball-shaped mound on sturdy stems. In early summer, 10- to 12-inch spikes of pea-shaped indigo flowers rise just above the gold, and the contrast is about as sharp as garden color gets.
After bloom, the gold foliage carries the show through summer, which is exactly why it works so well with lavender.
Golden Anniversary at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Baptisia 'Golden Anniversary' |
| Flowers | Indigo blue spikes, 10 to 12 inches long |
| Foliage | Golden yellow to chartreuse, spring through summer |
| Size | 30 to 36 inches tall and wide |
| Bloom | Starts early June, peaks mid-June, two to three weeks |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators; deer resistant |
Why it suits a lavender bed
False indigo and lavender are a natural fit underground. Both prefer lean, well-drained soil, both are drought tolerant once established, and both are lost mainly to soggy winter soil. Above ground, the gold foliage makes a bright, lasting contrast with purple lavender spikes all summer, and the indigo flowers in June open just ahead of the main lavender bloom, so bees move from one to the other.
At about 3 feet tall and wide, it works as a focal point at the back or center of a lavender planting. Leave it room so air still circulates around the lavender mounds. Try it in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting for the long haul
- Pick the spot once: the deep taproot makes established plants hard to move.
- Soil: lean to average and well drained. No rich amendments needed.
- Light: full morning sun brings out the gold. In very hot spots, a little afternoon shade prevents leaf scorch.
- Patience: expect a couple of seasons to settle in. After that it is very long lived.
Through the seasons
Golden Anniversary is fully hardy in Michigan with no winter protection. In late fall you can cut the stems down, or leave the dark seed pods standing for winter interest. It is generally trouble-free; crowded, humid sites can see occasional leaf spot or mildew, so spacing helps. The flower spikes are good for cutting, and the pods can be used in dried arrangements.
False indigo contains alkaloids and is considered mildly toxic if eaten, so enjoy it as a look-only plant.
Plug tray or bare root
It is offered as a full 72-cell plug tray for growers and larger plantings, and as a bare root plant for home gardens. See each product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Why did it barely grow the first year?
False indigo spends its early seasons building a deep root. Top growth catches up after a couple of years.
Do deer bother it?
It is deer resistant, a useful trait in open, rural lavender plantings.
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