Baptisia 'Purple Smoke'

Plant Baptisia in a sunny, well-drained spot where it can stay undisturbed, as it develops a deep tap root that improves drought tolerance but makes transplanting difficult.

While it's frost hardy, younger plants benefit from protection in colder areas—apply a thick mulch of well-rotted organic matter in late autumn and use fleece during hard frosts.

These perennials prefer poor to moderately fertile soil and dislike being heavily fertilised or waterlogged. Lift and divide large clumps only in early spring if absolutely necessary.