American Goldfinch is a false indigo with clear yellow flower spikes in late spring over blue-green, pea-like foliage. It behaves like a small shrub, forming a rounded, self-supporting clump about three feet around that returns bigger each year.

Baptisias are deep-rooted prairie natives: plant once, in full sun and well-drained soil, and leave them be. Once established it laughs at drought and clay. Bees and butterflies work the spikes, and the seed pods add rattle and structure in fall.