Lupines (Lupinus spp.) provide color and vertical interest to a garden. This tall plant, which reaches 3 to 5 feet high, forms unmistakable vibrant spikes of pea-like flowers. Found in shades of purple, violet, red, pink, yellow or white, lupines thrive in areas with cool, moist summers. The flowers bloom in spring and early summer. Lupines are members of the pea family (Fabaceae).
Climate
Lupines are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 3 to 8. They are often grown as annuals south of zone 6, as they fail to thrive in areas with hot, humid summers. Lupines are especially suited to the cool climate of the Pacific Northwest and coastal New England.
Care
Lupines prefer rich, moist, well-drained soil and full to half-sun. Plant the plants about 18 inches apart in the back of the garden since they grow so tall. Mulch well to hold moisture in the soil and keep the roots cool. Water as needed during dry periods and apply fertilizer in the spring.
Uses
Lupines are especially spectacular when planted in masses. These showy flowers have an old-fashioned, country-garden look. They pair well with Shasta daisies, rudbeckia, echinacea or geraniums. They are also attractive when planted in front of a white picket fence. Lupines make excellent cut flowers.
Hybrids
Hybrids are the most commonly grown lupines, especially the Russell hybrids, which are a favorite in cool-climate gardens. The tall erect spikes, originally bred in Yorkshire, England, can be found in many different colors, including purple, blue, red, yellow and orange. Other hybrids include Manhattan Lights, with its showy bi-colored spires of yellow and purple, and Gallery Red, a staple of the traditional English cottage garden. For a shorter lupine, dwarf hybrids, including Gallery Red and Gallery Pink, grow to about 15 inches tall. These are well-suited to the front or middle tier of a garden.
Carolina Lupine
A sister plant, also a member of the Fabacaea family, is the Carolina lupine (Thermopsis villosa). Unlike true lupines, this plant tolerates heat and humidity. It grows wild in parts of the southeastern U.S., especially North Carolina. Carolina lupine can be spotted in mountainous areas, as well as along highways and roads. Hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9, Carolina lupine typically has bright yellow pea-like flowers on tall, erect spikes. The long taproots can reach several feet into the earth.
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