Lupins are classic cottage-garden plants with bold, colourful flower spikes. These easy-to-grow sun-lovers also work well in formal borders, gravel gardens, containers and more, so do give them a try.
| About lupins |
| Lupins are extremely versatile and suit all kinds of garden styles. They come in a wide range of colours and attract pollinating insects. Their flower spikes are densely packed with small individual pea-like blooms, opening from the base of the stem upwards. There are two types of lupins:- Border lupins: offer a range of vibrant flower colours and are usually perennials.- Tree lupins: are actually evergreen shrubs with typically yellow lupin-type flowers. Choosing the right lupins Lupins come in a wide range of sizes, shapes and flower colours, offering a bold splash of colour. With so much choice, it helps to narrow down your options by considering the following: – All lupins need a warm spot in full sun for the best results. – They vary in height and size, so consider how much space you have and where in the border you want to grow them. – Choose colours that work well with the plants that will be nearby. How and what to buy Lupin plants and seeds are widely available during spring and summer: – Plug plants are available in spring. This is a cheaper way to buy, especially in larger quantities, but the choice of cultivars is limited. – You can buy young and more established lupins in containers – 9cm (3½in) or larger – ready for planting out. – Perennial nurseries and specialist lupin growers sell the widest choice, including special mix seeds. |
| Planting |
| In borders: plant in spring and early summer. Position at the same depth they were in the container. If your soil is prone to waterlogging, or you live in a cold, wet area, grow dwarf or smaller lupins in containers. In containers: for short-term planting, use peat-free multipurpose potting compost, for permanent planting, use a loam-based compost with added perlite to improve drainage. Apply a potassium-rich feed, weekly throughout the growing season. Newly planted lupins should be watered regularly during their first summer, especially during hot, dry spells. Once established, they are reasonably drought tolerant when grown in the ground, unless there is a severe drought. Plants in containers need regular watering through the growing season, as the compost dries out quickly. Lupins like soil that is quite low in nutrients, so plants don’t generally need feeding unless flowering is poor. Most lupins are hardy in a British winter if grown in free-draining soil in a sunny spot. However, different types vary in their tolerance to cold, so check plant labels. Protect container-grown lupins in winter from excessive rain and cold. Lupins can be purchased in nurseries and garden centres or direct from the RHS. |
