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Herbaceous Perennial

Lupinus polyphyllus

bigleaf lupin

Strong, upright, deciduous perennial to 1.5m tall, producing a mound of large, long-stalked mid-green leaves divided into slender leaflets up to 12cm long. Large flower spikes to 40cm tall, of pea-like, blue, purple or reddish flowers are produced in summer

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

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)

Botanical details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming, Columnar upright
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: Correct
Plant range: Western N America

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in light and slightly acid, well-drained or sandy soil in full sun or light shade. May need staking, see staking perennials. See lupin cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed in early to mid-spring or by basal stem cuttings in mid to late spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal 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 lupin anthracnose, Powdery mildews and a virus

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