Thermopsis chinensis

RHS Plant Profile
Chinese false lupin

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Chinese false lupin RHS
Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming herbaceous perennial to 60cm tall with pea-like, trifoliate leaves. From early spring, unbranched spikes of soft yellow, lupin-like flowers emerging from greyish-purple buds are held above the foliage

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, 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

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–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)
H6

Colour & Scent

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 Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Thermopsis are lupin-like rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with erect stems, leaves with three leaflets, and yellow or purple flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in light, fertile, well-drained, loamy soil in full sun, but tolerates a range of conditions. Usually long-lived, with tough roots that resent disturbance

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Cut back in autumn

Pests

Slugs and aphids may be a problem

Diseases

Generally disease-free