Closely-set spires of colour rise 20 to 24 inches above the foliage, which is why lupine (Lupinus) suits flower beds, garden edges and wild corners as happily as a cut bouquet. Give it sun and soil that is neither too acidic nor limey, kept cool under mulch, and the blooming comes in abundant swaths.
| Name | Lupinus |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Type | perennial |
| Height | 24→48 in (60→120 cm) |
| Exposure | full sun, part sun |
| Soil | not limestone |
| Flowering | spring-summer |
Thanks to the range of colors that lupines are available in, you’ll be doting your flower beds with a beautiful designer-like touch.
→ Good read mentioning lupine: Blue in the garden
It is a good idea to plant your lupines in fall or in spring, and it really looks great if you try to plant them in small bunches of 3-4 plants to a square yard (1 m²).
Lupine hates being moved around: select the spot with care so you won’t need to transplant it.
Of course, lupine seeds will spread and sprout on their own. But if you want to control the propagation, clump division is the way to go.
Care is rather straightforward for this large panicle-bearing flower. From planting to blooming, here are the practices that will ensure nice growth.
Lupines are easy to grow, but they do have a few requirements, especially in summer. Indeed, the soil must remain cool and so you’ll have to spread mulch at the foot of your plants to retain moisture and ensure a certain level of coolness.
Lupine is famous for resisting disease, and its hardiness is near unparalleled. It can cope with temperatures as low as -13°F (25°C)!
If ever a long dry spell is expected, or if the temperature has been unusually hot, feel free to water abundantly in the evening to avoid evaporation that would occur during the day.
Once the floral scapes have wilted away, cut the stem as short as you can to trigger a second round of blooming in fall.
In winter, cut away dried leaves and wilted flowers. No need for extra winter mulch because lupine can cope with freezing very well.
Garden lupines are nearly all Russell-type hybrids or their modern descendants, and what really separates them is flower colour and the size of the spire. Here are widely sold varieties and what each one does best.
| Variety | Flower colour | Height band | Best used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Manhattan Lights’ | Purple and yellow bicolour | Medium | Eye-catching focal planting |
| Band of Nobles Series | Full mixed range | Tall | Sowing from seed in drifts |
| ‘The Governor’ | Deep blue with white | Tall | Back of border, cutting |
| ‘The Chatelaine’ | Pink with white | Tall | Soft cottage-garden schemes |
| ‘Noble Maiden’ | Creamy white | Tall | White borders, lifting dark corners |
| ‘My Castle’ | Brick red | Tall | Hot colour schemes |
| ‘Chandelier’ | Butter yellow | Tall | Contrast with blues and purples |
| Gallery Series | Blue, pink, red, white, yellow | Dwarf, under 1 m | Front of border, large pots, windy sites |
Lupine asks little, but each job has its moment. Here is what to do and when, from planting to winter tidying.
| Task | When | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Planting | Fall or spring | Set out in small bunches of 3-4 plants to a square yard (1 m²), in a sunny, well-drained spot |
| Mulching | Summer | Spread mulch at the foot of the plants so the soil stays moist and cool |
| Watering | Long dry spells or unusual heat | Water abundantly in the evening so the water is not lost to daytime evaporation |
| Deadheading | As the floral scapes wilt | Cut the stem as short as you can to trigger a second round of blooming in fall |
| Dividing clumps | Fall, every 4 or 5 years | Crown division, both to propagate and to rejuvenate tired clumps |
| Winter tidying | Winter | Cut away dried leaves and wilted flowers; no extra winter mulch needed |
Keep to this rhythm and the same clump will flower generously for years.
With a bearing of closely-set bunches that grow 20 to 24 inches (50 to 60 cm) tall, this plant is very well suited to flower beds and wild gardens.
The blooming comes in abundant swaths of color, and will definitely add a touch of luxurious color to your garden, especially in flower beds and along edges.
Lupines, incidentally, are also perfect for preparing cut flower bouquets, simply cut the floral scape at the foot of the stem.
Lupines have been bred and grown for over 4000 years, mostly for their seeds which contain a lot of protein: they were used as winter fodder for animals. But you must be very careful because many species are actually poisonous and must not be ingested, neither by animals nor by us!
Lupine tends to propagate on its one once planted and settled in; cutting a few bunches to prepare bouquets won’t compromise your plant in the least!
