Lupinus polyphyllus 'Witchet'

RHS Plant Profile
lupin 'Witchet'

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Herbaceous Perennial

A bushy, clump-forming perennial, up to 1.2m high, with broad, palmate green leaves divided into narrow leaflets. Tall spikes of very dark reddish purple flowers are produced from early to mid summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, ideally slightly acidic, well-drained soil in full sun. Water well in summer dry spells. Tall plants may require support (see staking perennials). See lupin cultivation

Propagation

Propagate from basal softwood cuttings in mid spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • 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 powdery mildews, lupin anthracnose and virus diseases