A member of the pea family, Lupines plants produce a wonderful, old-fashioned flower. There are annual and perennial varieties. They bear very large, showy spikes covered with unusual pea-like florets on long, sturdy stems. The plants have attractive, handprint-shaped blue-green leaves. If you have never grown these attractive flowers before, you are in for a treat. Use this guide to learn how to grow Lupine flowers. Then, plant some lupine seeds, and you are on your way to a beautiful flower garden.
Easy, quick-growing Lupine plants rise to produce tall, stately spikes. The plants prefer cool weather climates.
Lupines are great as a cut flower in vases, alone by themselves, or in arrangements.
Strange as it may seem, some Lupines are poisonous, while others are edible! Unless you know our Lupines, we recommend you do not serve them at the dinner table.
Flowers Bloom: Late Spring to early Summer.
Flower Colors: Flower colors include white, red, pink, blue, yellow, lilac, violet, and apricot.
Plant height: 18 inches to 4 feet tall.
Annuals and Perennials, Lupinus
Start plants from seed. Sow Lupine seeds directly into your flower garden after all danger of frost. They can also be spread around fields as a wildflower.
plant seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost in your area. Because germination time is very long, we recommend an indoor start. Plant Lupine seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost in your area. We recommend using a seed germination mat for a faster, and higher, more successful germination rate.
Sow seeds and cover lightly with 1/8″ of fine garden soil, or seed starting soil. Water the plants lightly. Then, keep the soil moist, not wet until the seeds sprout.
Final Plant Spacing: Space plants 12″ – 14″ apart.
Perennial Lupines can be propagated by cuttings or division. Make cuttings in late summer as the weather begins to cool. Plant division is best done in the early fall.
Days to Germination: 25 – 30 days.
Lupine plants like full sun to partial shade. Lupine will do well in average soils and cool weather. They will grow quickly to a height of 4 feet for the tallest varieties.
The soil should be loose and lime-free (they do not like lime).
Keep the soil moist to feed their quick growth. Water them during dry periods, once or twice per week.
Adding a general-purpose fertilizer once a month before blooming will result in bigger plants and blooms.
Tip: Apply a thick layer of mulch, to help retain soil moisture, cool roots, and for winter protection in colder regions.
Deadhead spent blooms to prolong the blooming period.
Ideal Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.0.
Hardiness Zone: 4-8.
Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures.
Usually, there are no insect or plant disease problems.
However, if problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.