Lupinus arboreus

RHS Plant Profile

tree lupin

Other common names

yellow bush lupine

Shrubs

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A fast-growing medium-sized evergreen shrub with palmate grey-green leaves composed of leaflets, silky-hairy beneath, and fragrant, yellow, or rarely blue, flowers in erect racemes to 30cm in length in late spring and summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. TOXIC to pets if eaten (dogs, cats, rabbits, tortoises) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Lupinus can be annuals, perennials or shrubs, with palmate leaves and showy terminal racemes of pea-like flowers
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: W USA

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, sandy soil; best in full sun but can be grown in partial shade. Ideal for coastal situations in southern or mild counties where it can be grown in exposed situations but is likely to need shelter in colder areas with prolonged heavy frost

Propagation

Propagate by seed or basal cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Flower borders and beds
Cut flowers

Pruning

No pruning generally required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and lupin aphid

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, rots, a leaf spot and a virus