Baptisia ‘Dutch Chocolate’

Wild Indigo Fabaceae

One of the darkest and most intriguing of the early modern Baptisias, ‘Dutch Chocolate’ was bred by Hans A. Hansen and introduced through the DECADENCE® series. Its remarkably dark, chocolate-purple flowers open from almost black-purple buds, gradually softening towards dark violet as they mature, producing a wonderfully rich effect above the fresh green trifoliate foliage. 

The introduction has a particularly well-documented pedigree. ‘Dutch Chocolate’ arose from a controlled cross made in spring 2003 at Shady Oaks Nursery in Waseca, Minnesota, between an unnamed selection of Baptisia minor and an unnamed selection of B. sphaerocarpa. Seedlings were evaluated for flower colour and growth habit, with the outstanding plant selected in 2007 and subsequently propagated vegetatively. 

It forms a relatively compact, upright-to-arching clump, with smooth green stems and neat trifoliate leaves. The erect terminal racemes are particularly effective when the flowers are opening, the dark buds giving way to the unusual brown-purple blooms. It was an important step forward in Baptisia breeding, combining the toughness and longevity of the genus with a flower colour previously uncommon in cultivated forms.

Like other Baptisias, it is a plant to establish in a permanent position rather than move once settled. The deep root system makes it increasingly drought tolerant with age, while the seed pods provide useful late-season interest. Excellent in a sunny herbaceous border, prairie-style planting or amongst grasses, where the dark flowers contrast beautifully with silver foliage and lighter perennials.

Height: 75–90 cm
Spread: 60–75 cm
Flowering: May–June
Position: Full sun
Soil: Deep, fertile, well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established
Hardiness: H5 / approximately −15°C or below