1. Sky Lupine – Lupinus nanus ssp. latifolius
(loo-PIE-nus NAN-us lat-i-FOE-lee-us )
Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Native to: Western coast from British Columbia to California;often sandy soils in disturbed places,
grassy hills & fields, brushy slopes in coastal sage scrub and chaparral.
perennial wildflower mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.
Short-lived (several years in South Bay) perennial grown as annual. Typical upright lupine form.
Grows in Winter/Spring and dies back to ground in summer.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms Feb-May (depends on rains). Sky-blue “pea type” flowers with white keels
borne on ascending branches above plant. Very showy when massed. Fruit is a pod.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Welcome addition to wildflower gardens & prairies. Good also as groundcover,
on banks and in containers. Re-seeds well.
Note: seeds/foliage can be toxic if eaten
Sensible substitute for: Non-native annual lupines (Russell Lupines). Cultivars of Sky Lupine
include ‘Pixie Delight Mixed’ (short with blue, pink & white flowers), ‘Blue Bonnet’ (Blue-pink
flowers), and ‘Pink Fairy’ (pink flowers).
Attracts: Nectar source for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds. Birds eat the seeds as well.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Requirement
Full sun to part shade
Any texture from sandy/rocky to clay, but well-drained prevents fungal disease; pH
6-8
Occasional to regular in growing period; no summer water
Does best in nutrient poor soils ; plant actually improves soil Nitrogen availability to
other plants
Other
Management:
An easy-to-grow lupine. Needs adequate fall/winter moisture for germination.
Propagation: from seed: Gather pods when they turn brown. Sow seeds in prepared beds in fall.
Fresh seeds work best. Soak seeds in warm water for at least 1-2 hours prior to planting.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5, 10, 13
1/12/06
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