Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Pink Truffles False Indigo: Soft Pink Spires and a Summer Backdrop
Save
Pink Truffles false indigo was one of the first false indigos in a clear, soft pink. Its pea-shaped flowers carry pale yellow keels, so each spike has a gentle glow, and they rise above blue-green leaves on sturdy stems in late spring, right alongside the peonies.
It grows upright to four or four and a half feet, more shrub than perennial in scale. Behind a row of lavender, that height is exactly what a flat planting needs.
Pink Truffles at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Baptisia 'Pink Truffles' |
| Flowers | Clear soft pink with pale yellow keels, on 8- to 12-inch spikes |
| Foliage | Three-parted, oval blue-green leaflets |
| Size | 48 to 54 inches tall, 36 to 48 inches wide |
| 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 |
Two jobs in one plant
In late spring, Pink Truffles is the show. Soft pink spikes fill the back of the border just before lavender opens, and they look lovely with other spring bloomers such as peonies and bleeding hearts. Bees work the flowers hard.
Once the flowers pass, it switches roles and becomes the backdrop. Its blue-green foliage stays clean and full through summer, framing lavender's purple and silver like a low hedge. Think of it as a living fence that happens to flower. Plan the layout in the Companion Plant Planner, leaving enough distance that it never shades the lavender in front.
Getting it established
- Pick the spot once. The deep taproot makes established plants resent being moved.
- Keep the soil lean. Lean to average, well-drained soil suits it, and suits the lavender too.
- Be patient. Expect a couple of seasons for it to settle in and fill out. After that it is very long lived.
- Give it air. Crowded, humid spots can bring leaf spot, mildew or rust.
It is fully hardy in Michigan with no winter protection. As with lavender, soggy winter soil is the main cause of loss.
Spikes and pods for the vase
The spikes are good cut flowers for late-spring arrangements. Later, the dark seed pods are fair for drying and add a rustic note to fall bundles of dried lavender. In a hot spring, each spike passes a little faster, so cut early if you want them indoors.
Plug tray or bare root
Pink Truffles is offered as a 72-cell plug tray for growers and big borders, and as a bare root plant for direct planting. See each product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
How is Pink Truffles different from Pink Lemonade?
Pink Truffles is a clear, soft pink with pale yellow keels on an upright plant. Pink Lemonade opens yellow and ages to raspberry purple on a bushier mound. The Compare tool can line them up side by side.
Is it safe to eat?
No. It is ornamental only. False indigo contains alkaloids and is considered mildly toxic if eaten.
Share how it went in your field