About
The wild parsnip, a robust, biennial to about 1.2m from calcareous grassland in England and Europe with large, pinnate, hairy, pale green leaves and erect, branching stems bearing flat-topped umbels of small, yellow flowers in summer. An ornamental native biennial for a wildflower meadow, sunny bank, or chalky, well-drained garden.
About the genus
Lupinus can be annuals, perennials or shrubs, with palmate leaves and showy terminal racemes of pea-like flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPrairie planting, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden
Native toW North America
ToxicityHarmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. TOXIC to pets if eaten (dogs, cats, rabbits, tortoises) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a poor, well drained soil in full sun. See lupin cultivation
PruningDeadhead to prolong flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and lupin aphid
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, rots, a leaf spot and a virus