False indigo

Baptisia is a long-lived perennial native to North America that looks remarkably like the popular lupine at first glance. It belongs to the legume family and fills a similar role in the garden, but with a huge advantage. Unlike lupines, it doesn't suffer from fungal diseases and is far less tasty to slugs. Early in summer, it produces clumps of sturdy stems with a multitude of flowers in a wide range of colors, from traditional blue and purple to white, yellow, and even unusual dark shades. The spectacle doesn't end when the petals fall, however. After flowering, striking large pods form on the stems, decorating the plant until autumn. In garden beds, it needs plenty of space as it gradually expands over the years. It thrives best in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, where it can easily handle summer droughts once its roots are well-established.