Zone 3 Flowers: Lupine

Description: A spring-time favorite, growing lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) provides flower gardeners with a brilliant array of colors. Plants have stiff, erect flower spikes of 1-4 feet that emerge from horizontal foliage. Flowers are similar to those of peas or sweet peas, and grow in large, crowded racemes of deep blue, purple, yellow, pink or white. Found growing wild throughout most of the northern United States.

Hardy: Zone 3

Bloom Time: May - June (If the stems are cut back they will re-bloom in September)

Height: 3' - 5' (depending on variety)

Spacing: 1 foot

Sun Needs: Full sun to light shade 

Water Needs: Medium

Outstanding Features: Showy tall flowers, attracts butterflies.

Uses: Boarders, spread around in a cottage garden, masses, cut flowers.

Tips: Lupines require average moisture conditions, and the plants will develop root rot if they have constant wet feet. The long taproot indicates a plant that has natural drought tolerance, and lupines thrive with deep, infrequent watering rather than daily shallow watering.

To propagate: Lupines are easily raised from seed and the plants self-sow if the soil is not too dry. The seeds should not be covered deeply when planted and can be sown at any time. The plants can be divided or cuttings can be made by using the rather hardened wood, or side shoots. . This should be done in the Spring.