Any Baptisia experts out there ?

I bought 2 plants of Baptisia australis "Lemon Meringue" from a well known nursery. They're in 9cm pots which they are rapidly outgrowing.

I'm in two minds as to what to do with them, as to be honest they don't look ready to go out into the big wide world. The top growth seems out of proportion to the root systems, and at the moment my soil is rapidly approaching "pickaxe required for planting" status.

I'm tempted to pot them up into larger pots and if necessary overwinter in a coldframe as I'm not sure how they would cope with winter wet (assuming we get any), if planted in Autumn ?

Any advice welcome

 

I had a Baptisia years ago and it did well until I tried to move it, and then it died ... so I'd find somewhere permanent for them before putting them in.

I don't know what's gone wrong with the lettering, it seems to have become fatter all of a sudden !

 

I'm not an expert and I don't have your variety, but in half decent soil I would plant it out right now, but in your conditions from what you say, I would pot it on, you might have to repeat this again later as they develop big root systems.. in my area - east anglia - I wouldn't be worried about planting it out in autumn. They don't always flower in the first year after planting anyway, so patience is needed..

..this is 'Twilight Prairieblues'.. I agree with Michael in that they are not easy to transplant once established, although I did move this one last autumn and it's in flower again right now, albeit not quite as developed..

 

I do like them but I always think they look like lupins that aren't trying hard enough

 

Thanks @Michael Hewett and @Mrs Hillard, you've both confirmed what I've been thinking .

I'd rather wait until Autumn and be absolutely sure of the position rather than stick them in a place just because there is room.

 

I got a Baptisia ausralis no expert on them though , I'd be tempted to plant straight out they are immune to slugs when mature which make them a excellent alternative to lupins , no harm potting it on if the conditions aren't right yet .

I have successfully moved it even though you're not supposed to , it were incredibly difficult to move with the thick tap root I've dug out plants many times bigger easier. I had to chop through it in the end with the mattock it lives on but looks a bit sad.

Edit - jsut been out to have a look at it , its got a few flowers on it but its half the height it used to be which I am not to fussed about it did get to 5ft