Lupinus leucophyllus
Common Name(s):
Velvet Lupine
Synonym:
Flower:
Blue
Blooms :
Jun
to:
Jul
Dense racemes of many flowers, each around 1 cm long. The flower is blue or purple in color with a yellow or brownish patch on the banner.
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
NO
Family:
Fabaceae
Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Foliage:
Gray-Green
Palmate leaves divided into 7 to 11 leaflets up to 7 cm long. Herbage is coated in white wooly fibers and stiff hairs.
Fall Color?
NO
Deciduous
Photo by:
Heading 6
Oregon Native?
YES
West State Native?
YES
Origins:
Native to western North America
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
Water Needs:
M
Sun Needs:
Full Sun
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
YES
Height:
1.3-3'
Spread:
12-18"
Growth Rate:
Fast
Native Habitat:
Grassy slopes and sagebrush flats
Soil:
Well drained sandy soil
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Requires no fertilizer
Mulch:
Shredded bark, pine needles, compost
Stop regular watering after first year, do not fertilize, deadhead spent flower stalks to 1-2" above ground late winter or early spring, use 'no transplant' rule
Long Term:
Winter:
Do not heavy prune, clear only dead or diseased leaves, ensure sharp drainage, stop watering, apply light layer of mulch
Spring:
Full sun, well-drained soil, moderate watering during dry spells
Summer:
Full sun, very little water, no fertilizer
Fall:
If you want the lupine to self seed, leave the pods alone, if not clip spent spikes before pods open, trim only dead or diseased leaves, stop watering, can give a thin layer of coarse mulch, can plant seeds for new plants
General Care Comments:
Give a minmum of 6 hours of direct sun, excellent drainage, no fertilization, do not transplant, deadhead after flowering
Common Problems
Poor circulation, waterlogged soils,
Diseases:
No serious diseases
Insects:
Lupine aphids, caterpillars, pea and bean weevils, whiteflies
Environmental Problems:
Dislikes clay or acid soils
Pests:
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