Lupine (Lupinus Perennis) - Bring beauty and interest to a natural setting by sowing Lupine wild flower seeds. These flowers stand up in clusters of spikes with sweet pea-shaped blooms. While this flowering plant is highly prominent in North America, species of Lupine grow throughout the world on nearly every continent. Wild Lupine are deer, heat, and drought resistant and quickly take root and do best in drier soils with high acidity, sand content and drainage. Perennial Lupine has beautiful violet to blue blooms throughout Spring and Summer that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with their nectar. Lupine is perfect for sowing in xeriscape garden beds or at the front of a meadow.

Lupine seed | perennial

How to grow

How To Grow Perennial Lupine From Seed: Lupinus Perennis does best when grown in moderately fertile, light and slightly acidic, well-drained, sandy soil in full sun or partial shade. You may want to scratch the seed or soak them overnight in warm water before sowing.

Sow Lupine seeds directly outdoors in the late fall or early winter for blooms the following spring. You can sow in the spring, 4 – 6 weeks before your average last frost date, but your flowers will not bloom until late summer. You can add a layer of mulch to help retain moisture in the soil.

• Sowing Rate: 15 ounces per 1,000 square feet or 40 pounds per acre
• Average Germ Time: 14 - 35 days. Many gardeners soak the seed for 24 hours prior to planting.
• Keep moist until germination
• Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
• Depth: 1/8 inch

Flower Care

There is no need to add fertilizer to Lupine flowers, they have the ability to absorb nitrogen from the air and can grow well in nitrogen poor soil. Deadheading spent Lupine flowers will help to bring a second wave of blooms in early fall. If you want to encourage self-sowing, avoid deadheading and pruning to allow the plants to form seedpods.

• Height: 36 inches
• USDA Zones: 3 - 9
• Season: Perennial
• Deer Resistant: Yes
• Drought Tolerant: Yes

Lupine (Lupinus Polyphyllus Russell Mix) - For a reliable, colorful performance, start Lupine seeds and enjoy! For years, gardeners have been growing these perennials for a great source of vibrant late-spring to early summer color. The Russell lupine plants are vigorous with a spread of 12 - 16 inches wide, creating a bushy mat of bright green foliage beneath the bloom spikes. The mix includes shades of reds, pinks, blues, yellows, and whites in both solids and bi-colors. The flowers will attract attention from butterflies, hummingbirds and your neighbors! The plants prefer cooler climates. Where weather is hotter, provide some afternoon shade. Russell Lupine care is simply deadheading the faded flower spikes. They will self-sow if not trimmed back.  Many gardeners soak the seed for 24 hours prior to planting.

Lupine (Lupinus Polyphyllus Chandelier) - Attract bees, butterflies and birds to your garden by sowing Lupine seeds. The Lupine Chandelier is a stately yellow that commands attention, and it loves to bloom! The flowers are sweet pea shaped and form on tall spikes that bloom in late spring and early summer. The leaves are medium green, large, and they are divided into many finger-like leaflets.The plants make a wonderful cottage garden addition, and they are even more eye-catching when planted in large masses. They requiring good drainage but are not fussy about soil. Many gardeners soak the seed for 24 hours prior to planting.

Lupine (Lupinus Polyphyllus My Castle) - What an eye-catching display for your garden! Start Lupine seeds to produce these brilliant, scarlet red flowers. The flowers are sweet-pea like and form on tall spikes. The scarlet is especially complemented by the attractive medium green foliage and the large, multi-fingered leaflets. The plants are clump-forming perennials that are considered to be a type of wildflower. They do especially well in cooler climates. Plant Lupinus My Castle in a mass planting for a breath taking show of color. Many gardeners soak the seed for 24 hours prior to planting.

Lupine (Lupinus Polyphyllus The Governor) - This unique Governor Blue Lupine features a very appealing color combination. It is bi-color with intense blue and pure white. It establishes easily from Lupine seeds, and it will create a lovely drama for the perennial garden from late spring to early summer. The marine blue and white flowers cover tall spikes which tower above a sea of deep green foliage.

Plant the Governor Lupine in full sun and provide a rich well-drained soil. Lupine plants like their roots to remain cool, so it is a good idea to apply a 3 - 4 inch layer of mulch around the plants to help protect their roots from summer heat especially in hotter climates. Many gardeners soak the seed for 24 hours prior to planting.