Lupinus 'Desert Sun'PBR

RHS Plant Profile
lupin 'Desert Sun'

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lupin 'Desert Sun' RHS
Herbaceous Perennial
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'Desert Sun' is an upright, clump-forming perennial, to 80cm tall, with palmately-divided green leaves and, in summer, spikes of creamy-white buds opening to scented, yellow flowers

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, light, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light, dappled shade. May require support (see staking perennials) This plant was included in the RHS Lupinus (lupin) trial 2024-2025 https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/plant-trial-results/lupinus

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in situ in late spring or in seedbeds and transplanted to final flowering site in autumn, or propagate from basal cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead to encourage a second flush of flowers

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and lupin aphid

Diseases

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