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Lupine cultivar

Lupinus polyphyllus

Herbaceous perennial

V Written by Editorial Team · Updated January 2026

Bigleaf lupine is a cool-summer, herbaceous perennial legume for borders and meadows. It stands out for tall vertical flower spikes in late spring to early summer. It performs best in the northern United States, coastal West, and other regions with cool summers. It prefers slightly acidic, evenly moist, well-drained soil and full sun with light afternoon shade in hot areas. Plants are typically short-lived and often persist two to five years under good conditions.

Outside its native range it can self-sow and form dense stands that displace native vegetation.

Lupinus polyphyllus
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Lupinus polyphyllus

Herbaceous perennial

At‑a‑glance

  • Group/Class: Herbaceous perennial
  • Height × spread: 3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m) × 1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m)
  • Bloom window: May to July
  • Color & flower form: Blue to violet, sometimes white or pink; dense, vertical racemes of pea-like flowers
  • Fragrance: 1 trace
  • USDA hardiness: zones 4-8
  • Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown, unknown, USA (native to western North America)
  • Cut-flower notes: Hollow stems; trials report about 4 to 9 days of vase life with proper conditioning
  • Pet safety: avoid

How it differs

  • Taller and more robust than many native annual lupines
  • Longer, denser flower spikes than most wild species
  • Less tolerant of heat and humidity than many annual lupines
  • Readily self-sows where conditions suit it

Strengths

  • Showy vertical bloom for late spring
  • Attracts bees and other pollinators
  • Often avoided by deer and rabbits
  • Nitrogen-fixing roots improve soil fertility nearby

Care in one minute

Site: Full sun; give light afternoon shade where summers are hot

Soil and pH: Slightly acidic, well-drained, evenly moist

Watering: Keep evenly moist in spring; never waterlog the crown

Feeding: Low to moderate; avoid high nitrogen

Planting: Direct sow or transplant carefully; use legume inoculant on seed

Grooming: Deadhead spent spikes; stake in windy sites; mulch lightly for winter

Watch‑outs

  • Powdery mildew and aphids can build up in humid or crowded sites
  • Crown and root rot in poorly drained soils
  • Short-lived; resents root disturbance when mature
  • Can be invasive outside its native range

Best uses (tags)

  • borders
  • cutting
  • meadows
  • pollinators
  • cottage style

Provenance note

Native to the Pacific Northwest and widely used as a parent of modern garden lupines such as the Russell Hybrids.

References

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Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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