Blue wild indigo, Baptisia australis
 
Blue wild indigo fills the gap between spring and summer-flowering plants as its pea-shaped blue flowers emerge early in summer and bloom for many weeks. It develops deep taproots before above-ground growth takes off. In the third year, the plant reaches up to 1.20 m in height and width, resembling a small shrub. The large seed heads create winter interest.
 
Ecology:
It is a great pollinator plant for many bees, flies, and even beetles. Its nectar attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. It is the larval host plant for the wild indigo dusky wing butterfly. Black-chapped chickadees devour the big seeds. Since the plant is a legume, it can fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil under the right conditions and can benefit nearby plants.
 
Growing conditions:
Blue wild indigo is native up to the south of Lake Ontario and is best grown in full or part sun. It is very adaptable to soil and moisture conditions and grows best in medium to medium-wet soil. The native species in Toronto is yellow false indigo (Baptisia tinctoria).