Lupinus polyphyllus

Lupinus polyphyllus — the garden lupin

Lupinus polyphyllus is the botanical name for the garden lupin, a stately hardy perennial whose tall, dense spires of pea-like flowers in blue, pink, red, yellow and bicolours rise above handsome, fingered foliage. It is the species behind much of our perennial lupin planting within the flower seed collection.

History & origin

Native to western North America, this lupin was introduced to European gardens in the nineteenth century and became the foundation of the famous Russell hybrids, prized for their bold colour range. It is a true cottage- and country-garden icon, as good in the border as it is naturalised.

The genus name Lupinus derives from the Latin lupus, wolf — once wrongly thought to ravage the soil — while polyphyllus means many-leaved, describing the radiating, many-fingered leaves.

Botanical characteristics

A clump-forming perennial reaching around a metre in flower, it sends up imposing candelabra-like spikes in early summer above palmate leaves that catch dew and rain beautifully. The nectar-rich flowers are a favourite of bees, placing it among our pollinator flowers, while its upright stature and bold spires make it a striking cut flower. Like other legumes, it helps fix nitrogen in the soil.

Growing Lupinus polyphyllus from seed

Soak or chip the hard seed to speed germination, then sow in spring; lupins resent root disturbance, so sow into deep pots or direct. Plant into full sun or light shade in neutral to slightly acid, well-drained soil. Plants flower from the second year; deadheading the main spike often brings a second flush. Our flower growing guide and flower sowing calendar cover the timing.

Ready to grow lupins? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Perennial Flowers · Pollinator Flowers · Cut Flowers · Wildflowers · All Flower Seeds

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