Lupin
Lupinus spp.
Photo by CandideUK (All rights reserved)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Frost Hardy
H7
RHS hardiness
-20°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
---|---|---|
3m | Max | 3m |
30cm | Min | 30cm |
5 years to reach maturity
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has a mild fragrance
More images of Lupin
Lupin Overview
Lupinus is a large genus of around 626 accepted species of mostly annuals and perennials, and occasionally shrubs. Their tall spires of upright colourful flowers in summer make them an attractive addition to mixed flower beds and borders, adding height and structure to a display. Horticultural varieties have long been extensively bred to produce a wide range of flower colours and patterns to suit every garden. Commonly known as Lupins, they are characterised by their soft grey-green; usually, deeply divided leaves and dense whorls of pea-like flowers held on erect spikes. Relatively low maintenance, this plant, is perfect for full sun locations whose soil is not that fertile. Lupinus may need additional staking if grown in an exposed area. Cutting the spent flower stems back to the ground can encourage a second flower spike to form for a staggered summer display. Part of the Fabaceae (Fabaceae) family, Lupinus plants are native to the Americas, North Africa, and the Mediterranean. They are legumes and as such are widely cultivated as forage crops and green manure, fixing nitrogen into the soil for later crops. Increasingly they are being grown for their seeds and used as an alternative to soybeans.
Common problems with Lupin
How to harvest Lupin
Flowers can be harvested for the vase and seed can be harvested to replant.
How to propagate Lupin
Cuttings
Take basal stem cuttings. Cut a small stem down to trunk, including a bit of its connection to the trunk, set in moist, very well-drained, propagation medium. Keep covered opening a few minutes daily for airflow.
Seed
Sow seeds in autumn in damp soil or cold treated seeds in spring. To cold treat place seeds in a ziplock bag with slightly damp towel into a refrigerator for 7 days.
Special features of Lupin
Attractive flowers
Pot plant
Attracts useful insects
Attract insects including bees.
Crop rotation
Use as soil conditioner to add Nitrogen to a depleted vegetable bed. It will fix Nitrogen as plant food to serve as nutrients in following (or neighbouring) crops.
Other uses of Lupin
Grown for their large, imposing racemes of pea-like flowers. Suitable for coastal conditions. Attracts butterflies
Flowers - Annuals to direct sow in September
There is still time to direct sow these hardy annuals where you want them to flower next spring.
Flowers - Sow Under Cover in May
Sow these seeds for late summer colour and to get an early start on next year.
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