Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Vanilla Cream II False Indigo: Creamy Spikes on Charcoal Stems
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Vanilla Cream II false indigo is an improved creamy white baptisia that blooms earlier and with longer spikes than the original Vanilla Cream. Its 16- to 18-inch spikes of pea-shaped flowers rise on dark charcoal stems, then branch for a second and third flush before seed pods form and darken into fall.
If you have ever wished for a big, shrub-sized perennial that wants the same lean, dry ground as lavender, this is it.
Vanilla Cream II at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Baptisia 'Vanilla Cream II' |
| Flowers | Creamy white to soft vanilla on 16- to 18-inch spikes |
| Stems | Dark charcoal |
| Foliage | Emerges chartreuse with purple edges, matures blue-green |
| Size | About 42 inches tall and 36 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late May, peaks early June, with extra flushes |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators; deer resistant |
A true lavender bedmate
Many companions need a separate bed. Not this one. False indigo grows a deep taproot that makes it drought tolerant once established, and it does best in the same lean, well-drained soil lavender wants. Wet winter soil is the main thing that kills either plant, so a site that suits one suits the other.
Design-wise it gives a lavender planting something it often lacks: size. At 3½ feet tall and a rounded 3 feet wide, it works as an anchor at the back or the corners of a lavender bed. The creamy spikes open in late May and early June, just ahead of English lavender, and the blue-green leaves then make a cool, clean backdrop for the purple. Leave enough room that it does not shade the lavender once both are full size. Test the layout in the Companion Plant Planner.
Patience pays
Baptisia is a slow starter. Expect a couple of seasons for it to settle in before it fills out, and choose its spot carefully, because established plants resent being moved. Once it is in, it is one of the lowest-maintenance perennials in the garden.
Care through the year
- Spring: new chartreuse growth with purple margins appears; no feeding needed.
- Late spring: enjoy the main bloom and the extra flushes from side branches.
- Summer: water only during long droughts in the first seasons.
- Fall and winter: cut stems down in late fall, or leave the dark seed pods standing for winter interest.
It is generally trouble-free. Crowded, humid sites can bring leaf spot, mildew or rust, and soggy soil leads to root rot.
Formats offered
Vanilla Cream II is offered as a full 72-cell plug tray for growers and native plantings, and as a bare root plant for home borders. See each product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cut the flowers?
Yes. The spikes are rated good for cutting, and the dark seed pods are attractive in dried arrangements.
Is false indigo safe for pets?
It contains alkaloids and is considered mildly toxic if eaten, so plant it where pets and children will not chew it.
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