© RHS / Tim Sandall

Introducing...

Border lupins

Weave these bold, colourful, architectural plants through sunny borders, among delphiniums, ornamental grasses and other perennials. 

Looks

Border lupins produce upright flower spikes in early summer, densely packed with vibrant, pea-like flowers. Colours include white, pink, red, orange, purple and blue, with some combining two colours.

Likes

These lupins grow well in most types of soil, as long as they drain easily, but they prefer slightly acidic soil. An open, sunny site is best for flowering and flower colour.

Dislikes

Overly rich soils can lead to weakness in the stems, which then need staking to keep them upright. Plants can rot in prolonged winter wet.

Did you know?

Lupins don't need much feeding, as they have nitrogen-fixing nodules on their roots that capture all the nitrogen they require from the atmosphere. 

Growing guide

Border lupins we recommend

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Useful advice

Lupin anthracnose

Lupin anthracnose

Lupin aphid

Lupin aphid

Perennials: cutting back

Perennials: cutting back

Perennials: dividing

Perennials: dividing

Perennials: staking

Perennials: staking

Plant viruses

Plant viruses

Powdery mildews

Powdery mildews

Slugs

Slugs

Snails

Snails

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