Baptisia 'Sunny Morning' is a bold long lived perennial featuring upright spires of buttery yellow flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. Its vase shaped form, charcoal colored stems, and bluish green trifoliate foliage provide architectural presence even after flowering as the ornamental black seed pods rattle in the wind and extend seasonal interest into fall and winter.
Height & Spread: 36 - 48 in x 36 - 48 in
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Well drained soils including clay, loam, or sandy types
Watering Needs: Low once established; drought tolerant
Deer Resistance: Highly deer resistant
Native Status
This cultivar is derived from native Baptisia species of the central and eastern United States. While not naturally occurring in the wild, it shares many ecological and ornamental qualities with its native parentage.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Visited by early season butterflies such as Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Clouded Sulphur for nectar.
Moths
- Supports caterpillars of moths such as the Wild Indigo Duskywing who use Baptisia as a larval host plant.
Bees
- Attracts native long tongued bees including carpenter bees, bumblebees, and specialist bees like the Baptisia Bee (Calliopsis andreniformis).
Birds
- Songbirds such as goldfinches and sparrows may feed on the seeds in late summer and fall.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 36 - 48 in apart to accommodate mature spread and airflow between clumps.
Landscape Placement
- Excellent for perennial borders, native plantings, and meadow gardens. Its bold texture and upright habit also make it effective as a structural accent or backdrop in pollinator beds.
Companion Plants
- Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) - Offers long blooming purple flower heads that contrast with the yellow spikes of Baptisia while attracting a similar array of pollinators.
- Pycnanthemum muticum (Short Toothed Mountain Mint) - Produces silvery bracts and dense clusters of nectar rich blooms that draw bees and beneficial insects alongside Baptisia.
- Rudbeckia fulgida (Black Eyed Susan) - Provides golden daisy like flowers through summer that harmonize with and extend the color impact of 'Sunny Morning'.
- Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) - Adds fine textured blue green foliage and upright form that complements Baptisia’s structure while providing habitat for wildlife.
- Amsonia hubrichtii (Arkansas Blue Star) - Brings soft blue spring blooms and feathery foliage that contrasts with the bold form and color of Baptisia.