Lupinus hartwegii ssp. cruikshankii 'Sunrise'

LUPINE, LUPIN, HARTWEG'S BLUEBONNET
Family: Fabaceae
Pronounced: loo-PYE-nus hart-WEG-ee-eye

Quick Jumps

Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes

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GROWING GUIDE

Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Annual.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: All zones.
USDA: All zones.
Mature size:
Height: 30 — 36 inches (75-90 cm).
Width 30 inches (75 cm).

Flowering period:
Summer to autumn.
Flowering attributes:
Racemes of very fragrant, white, gold, and blue flowers.
Leaf attributes:
Seven to nine palmate, hairy, green leaves.
Light:
Full sun to partial shade.
Soil:
Moist, humus rich, well-drained soil.
Feeding:
Add a complete organic fertilizer when planting.
Propagation Methods:
Nick and/or soak and sow at 60°F (15°C) in spring.
Pruning Methods:
Dead-head flowers to prolong blooming.

 

Rainy Side Notes

Next time you make a new garden bed and plant it full of young perennials, try planting annuals to fill in until the perennials reach maturity. A good choice for this duty is annual lupines. It will be beautiful in the garden the first year adding color. In our cool climate, it will flower for six to eight weeks. The added bonus is lupines set nitrogen into the soil that feed the perennials. At the end of the growing season, cut the foliage of the lupines down to the ground, leaving the roots to rot in the soil.

I like to soak the seeds for a few days on a moist paper towel until I see the seed starting to germinate. I then pot it up and grow it in the greenhouse until the weather settles, then plant it outside. You can direct sow this annual but you should nick the seeds and soak them over night before planting. Alternatively, pour hot water over the seed and soak for an hour, then plant. L. 'Sunrise' is a good cut flower and makes an excellent bee plant. Grow this and you too can do the Monty Python chant: "Not another bloody lupine!"

Caution: These plants may be harmful if eaten.

Debbie Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.