About
Deciduous, spreading herbaceous plant, sometimes woody at the base, to 50cm tall, forming a mat of mid-green leaves composed of 6-9 leaflets, 3.5cm long with a silvery sheen. Blue and white bicolored flowers, the upper flowers sometimes white and combinations of pink, purple and yellow, appear in short flower spikes, in 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
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitMatforming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Native toCalifornia
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 light and slightly acid, well-drained or sandy soil in full sun. May need staking, see staking perennials. Ideal for container cultivation. See lupin cultivation
PruningDeadhead to encourage a second flush of flowers
PropagationPropagate by seed in early to mid-spring or by basal stem cuttings in mid to late spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to lupin aphid, slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to lupin anthracnose, Powdery mildews and a virus