Lupinus variicolor
Deciduous, spreading herbaceous plant, sometimes woody at the base, to 50cm tall, forming a mat of mid-green leaves composed of 6-9 leaflets, 3.5cm long with a silvery sheen. Blue and white bicolored flowers, the upper flowers sometimes white and combinations of pink, purple and yellow, appear in short flower spikes, in summer
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue White Purple Pink Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Matforming
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Lupinus can be annuals, perennials or shrubs, with palmate leaves and showy terminal racemes of pea-like flowers
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- California
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in light and slightly acid, well-drained or sandy soil in full sun. May need staking, see staking perennials. Ideal for container cultivation. See lupin cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed in early to mid-spring or by basal stem cuttings in mid to late spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildflower meadow
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Deadhead to encourage a second flush of flowers
Pests
May be susceptible to lupin aphid, slugs and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to lupin anthracnose, Powdery mildews and a virus
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.