Beautiful blue to lavender, pea-like flowers occur on stately spires that jet up from emerald mounds of rich-green foliage. Robust plants with elegant, palmately divided leaves and flower stalks that can reach up to 18” tall. This is surely one of the prettiest lupines and the parent lupine to the commercial “Russell” hybrid. Hummingbirds and bees adore this plant. Also a good nectar source for butterflies.
- Family: Fabaceae
- Per/Ann: Perennial
- Sun/Shade: Sun to partial shade
- Zones: 6 to 9 Bloom time: late spring – early summer
- Habitat: moist meadows, prairies, stream banks. Appreciates moisture but can handle drier sites.
- Height: 3 to 4 ft.
- Stratification: little to none; but best planted in the fall if not scarifying
- Planting depth: 1/8″-1/4″
- Seeding rate:
Broadcasting: approx 10 seeds/sq ft
Small pots/Spots in situ: 3-5 per pot/spot
While the seed is not dormant, it has a hard seedcoat. Can be spring sown with scarification, otherwise fall sowing is best to help breach seedcoat.
Portland Plant List (Backyard Habitat Certification): Yes
