About
Masterpiece' is an upright perennial to about 75cm tall, with deeply-lobed, palmate leaves and tall spikes of scented, red-purple flowers, with a small orange fleck on the standard petals, in early and mid summer.
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, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
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 moderately fertile, humus-rich, light, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light, dappled shade. May require support (see staking perennials)
PruningDeadhead to encourage a second flush of flowers
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in situ in late spring or in seedbeds and transplanted to final flowering site in autumn, or propagate from basal cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and lupin aphid
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, rots, a leaf spot and a virus