Lupinus ornatus (Lupin)

About

Lupinus ornatus is a species of lupin in the legume family Fabaceae. It belongs to the genus Lupinus, a group with many species worldwide and centres of diversity in the Americas. In the UK it flowers from June to August. Some lupins are cultivated for seed as well as for ornament, though seed use requires specific processing.

About the genus

Lupinus, commonly known as lupin, lupine, or regionally bluebonnet, is a genus of plants in the legume family Fabaceae. The genus includes over 199 species, with centres of diversity in North and South America. Smaller centres occur in North Africa and the Mediterranean.

Wikipedia contributors, "Lupinus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lupinus

In the garden

Lupinus ornatus sits within the genus Lupinus, a large group of leguminous plants with principal centres of diversity in North and South America and smaller centres around the Mediterranean and North Africa. Members of the genus have been grown both as ornamental plants and for their seeds, which have a long history of regional use after processing to remove bitter alkaloids. Growers should treat species-level information as decisive: cultivation needs can vary between Lupinus species and cultivars. Many lupins are propagated from seed or young plants and are used in planting schemes for their summer flowers; check the supplier or a specialist source for sowing depth, recommended aspect and any variety-specific pests or propagation notes. Be aware that some lupins can naturalise aggressively outside garden borders in certain regions. In a UK garden Lupinus ornatus will contribute to a summer-flowering programme, with blooms appearing from June to August. It can be considered where a seasonally strong flowering presence is required, and where you can manage any potential for volunteers or spread.

More in the Lupinus genus

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