Lupinus nanus
dwarf blue lupin
A compact, bushy annual, 20-60cm high, with palmate leaves divided into up to 9 narrow leaflets. Stems and leaf undersides are coated with downy silvery hairs. Whorls of bicoloured pea-like flowers are borne on upright stems in late spring and early summer. Flowers are usually deep blue, or sometimes purple, pink or white, and always with a whitish blotch in the centre of the upper petal
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Purple Pink White | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Purple Pink White | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in light, ideally slightly acidic, well-drained soil in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Wildflower meadow
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Deadhead to encourage more flowers, unless seeds are required
Pests
May be susceptible to lupin aphid, slugs and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, lupin anthracnose and virus diseases
Get involved
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