Perennial Lupine

Biological Name:

Lupinus perennis (Perennial-Lupine)

Natural Habitat:

Perennial-Lupine is a type of lupine that is native to North America and is typically found in meadows, open woods, and along roadsides.

Description:

Perennial lupine is a type of flowering plant that is commonly found in fields and other grassy areas. It is a member of the Fabaceae family which also includes plants such as peas and beans. Perennial lupine is an annual or perennial plant that produces small blue or purple flowers and clusters of seeds. The plant is often used as a cover crop to improve soil health and suppress weeds. It is also known for its ability to tolerate a wide range of growing conditions including wet or dry soils. In some areas perennial lupine is considered a weed because of its ability to invade cultivated areas and cause allergies and other health problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which lupine are perennials?
A: Wild Perennial Lupine (Lupinus perennis) is a showy native wildflower that blooms in late spring with spikes of blue and bluish-purple flowers. A plant for experienced gardeners, this species must be planted in a sandy soil where it will pull nitrogen from the air and enrich the soil that surrounds it.
Source

Q: Do lupins like full sun or shade?
A: All lupins like well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid planting in shade, as flowering will be poor.
Source

Q: Will lupins multiply?
A: The easiest way to propagate lupins is by taking basal cuttings in spring. Lupins will also self-seed in the garden, so lifting the seedlings with a garden trowel and potting them on, in is also a great way to generate new plants.
Source

Q: What time of year do you plant lupins?
A: Although there is some leeway with when to plant (we mentioned February to September for sowing earlier), Lupins stand to do best when sown in early March, hardened off in late April and planted out in early May. If you are harvesting seeds, this should be done in late summer, around early August.
Source

Q: What is the difference between lupins and lupines?
A: Lupinus is a large and diverse genus in the legume family (Fabaceae). Its common name used in Europe and Australia is lupin for both native and domesticated species, while the common name for native Lupinus in North America is lupine (Information portal for lupins 2010a).
Source

Q: Is perennial lupine invasive?
A: In a nutshell, it is an invasive plant that can crowd native species out of their preferred habitats. Also, their seeds are toxic to animals if too many are consumed, which could threaten both grazing farm animals and native herbivores.
Source

Q: Where is the best place to plant lupine?
A: Choose a sunny site with average, well-draining soil. Lupines are legumes and can improve a soil’s fertility over time. Light: Full sun is preferred. Lupine can grow in part shade, but flowering will be lessened.
Source

Q: Where is the best place to plant lupins?
A: Lupins do best in full sun or dappled shade, in moist but well-drained soil. Like many other perennials with tall flowers, lupins benefit from a sheltered position.
Source

Q: How long do lupine plants last?
A: Lupine flowers can be grown as either an annual or a short-lived perennial plant growing for three to four years. These nitrogen-fixing legumes sprout colorful blue, white, purple, or bicolor conical flower spikes that attract pollinators such as hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Source

Q: Can you just throw lupine seeds in the ground?
A: The simplest way to plant lupines is to sow untreated seeds directly into the ground. These should be planted outside in late autumn or during winter in warm climates. The seeds may take several months to germinate, producing flowers the following spring.
Source

Q: Will lupin survive the winter?
A: Border lupins, which come in a range of vibrant flower colours. These are usually perennials, so they die down in winter and re-sprout in spring.
Source

Q: What to do with lupines after they bloom?
A: Snip off the main stem right above the location where it branches at a side stem once the flowers on the main stem start to fade. The main stem will not regrow once removed, but it will produce more side stems with flowers later in the season. Snip off the side stems, too, once their flowers start to fade.
Source

Q: How do you grow perennial lupines?
A: Lupines prefer moist, sandy, well-drained soil and cool temperatures. … Select a spot in full sun or light shade.Loosen the soil to a depth of about 1 to 1-1/2 foot.Sow seeds directly in the ground in early spring or fall. … If starting seedlings indoors, you can transplant them when they are about 4 to 6 weeks old.More items…How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Lupine Flowerswww.almanac.com › plant › lupineswww.almanac.com › plant › lupines
Source

Q: What month do you plant lupines?
A: For seeds: Lupine seeds can be planted in very early spring, but tend to do better if planted in late spring and allowed to overwinter, blooming in the following spring like foxgloves.
Source

Q: Where is the best place to plant lupins?
A: Lupins do best in full sun or dappled shade, in moist but well-drained soil. Like many other perennials with tall flowers, lupins benefit from a sheltered position. Grow them towards the back of a border.
Source

Q: Do perennial lupines bloom first year?
A: They also prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Lupines can be propagated by seed, but they can also be propagated by division. Lupines are a hardy plant and will usually bloom the first year after planting. However, if you are growing lupines from seed, it may take two years for them to bloom.
Source

Q: Do lupines only bloom once a year?
A: Lupine flowers may be annual and last only for a season, or perennial, returning for a few years in the same spot in which they were planted. The lupine plant grows from a long taproot and does not like to be moved.
Source

Q: Do lupine plants spread?
A: Lupines actually improve the soils they grow in. Individual lupines plants do not spread.
Source

Q: What month does Lupin bloom?
A: Depending on the variety and your zone, lupine flowers will bloom from late spring through the first weeks of July. As a result, we recommend planting them with some late-blooming, summertime favorites — zinnia, rudbeckia, daisies — to keep the color going well into fall.
Source

Q: How long do lupine stay in bloom?
A: Wild lupines are usually purple, while cultivated lupines can produce white, yellow, pink, red and blue flowers. Plants can be anywhere from 1 foot to 5 feet tall, and blooms can last up to 4 weeks.
Source

Q: What is the difference between Lupin and lupine?
A: Lupinus is a large and diverse genus in the legume family (Fabaceae). Its common name used in Europe and Australia is lupin for both native and domesticated species, while the common name for native Lupinus in North America is lupine (Information portal for lupins 2010a).
Source

Q: Does Lupine return every year?
A: Do Lupines Come Back Every Year? Lupine is perennials coming back year after year, most often hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8, even though they die back to the ground in the winter.
Source

Q: Are lupine low maintenance?
A: Lupines are relatively low-maintenance flowering plants and do not require a lot of care after planting. 1. Check for pests and diseases. Mature lupines are rabbit and deer-resistant but may fall victim to aphids, pillbugs, or powdery mildew.
Source

Q: Do you cut a Lupin back in winter?
A: Caring for lupins In autumn, cut lupins right back to the ground after collecting seed. Lupins are not long-lived plants – expect to replace plants after about six years.
Source

Q: Should you cut back lupine in the fall?
A: Cutting any spent flower stems back to a set of leaves will help keep the Lupine’s overall shape compact and encourage more flower stem production. Prune back the top growth hard in the fall after the foliage has turned brown in preparation for dormancy and winter.
Source

Q: How do you winterize lupine?
A: Cutting Back Lupine For Winter As the plant prepares for dormancy, a heavy layer of mulch should be placed around the growth crown for insulation through the winter. Lightweight mulch such as shredded leaves, arborist chips, and straw will help trap air in layers.
Source

Q: Does lupine multiply?
A: Lupines are deep rooted and do not spread except through re-seeding. Seeds will not come true to the original variety planted, but will eventually revert to blue-violet and white.
Source

Q: How long will lupine last?
A: Wild lupines are usually purple, while cultivated lupines can produce white, yellow, pink, red and blue flowers. Plants can be anywhere from 1 foot to 5 feet tall, and blooms can last up to 4 weeks.
Source

Q: How long do perennial lupines live?
A: Although they are perennials, lupines are in the class of short-lived perennials. They put all their energy into those magnificent flower stalks and wear themselves out in the effort. Lupines live in the range of two to five years.
Source

Q: What to do with a lupin after it has flowered?
A: Deadhead lupins once flowers have faded and you should be rewarded with a second flush of flowers. In autumn, cut lupins right back to the ground after collecting seed. Lupins are not long-lived plants – expect to replace plants after about six years.
Source

Q: Are lupines low maintenance?
A: Lupines are relatively low-maintenance flowering plants and do not require a lot of care after planting. 1. Check for pests and diseases. Mature lupines are rabbit and deer-resistant but may fall victim to aphids, pillbugs, or powdery mildew.
Source

Q: Do lupines reseed themselves?
A: Do Lupines Reseed Themselves? Lupines are perennials, and return to grow every year. They also easily reseed, dispersing their seed a distance from the original plant. This is how they spread to form colonies of plants.
Source

Q: What month do lupines bloom?
A: Depending on the variety and your zone, lupine flowers will bloom from late spring through the first weeks of July. As a result, we recommend planting them with some late-blooming, summertime favorites — zinnia, rudbeckia, daisies — to keep the color going well into fall.
Source

Q: Why are lupins so hard to grow?
A: However, growing lupins from seed can be tricky, as they are susceptible to rotting if too damp, and they dislike root disturbance, so transplanting may not be successful. On the plus side, many lupins come true from seed, so the offspring should be exactly the same as the parent plant.
Source

Q: Do you cut lupins down to the ground?
A: When should you cut back lupins? You should carefully deadhead lupins once their flowers have faded or died. BBC’s Gardener’s World states: “In autumn cut lupins right back to the ground after collecting seed.
Source

About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.