Also known as the dense-flowered lupine or Yellow lupine, Golden lupine is native to the west coast of North America, from British Columbia to California. This wildflower, so simple to grow, is under threat of extinction in its natural environment. Golden lupine is an easy-to-grow annual that will thrive in most climates with minimal care.
Adaptable to a wide range of garden environments, Golden lupine prefers sunny spots and well-drained soil but remains resilient in partial shade. The plants can reach heights of up to 60 cm and the foliage is a shade of grey-green, forming an attractive base for the vibrant flowers. The golden-yellow blooms appear in dense, cylindrical clusters on erect spikes, giving the impression of miniature golden skyscrapers. The intensity of the yellow can vary, from a subtle pale shade to a vibrant, almost luminous golden hue.
Cultivating Golden lupine not only contributes to the preservation of a species under threat but also provides an opportunity to bring a piece of the Pacific Coast's natural beauty into your own garden.
- Latin Name: Lupinus densiflorus
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Canada Hardiness Zone: 8-9
- Days to Maturity: 75-90
- Planting Depth: 3-4 seeds 1 cm deep
- Plant Spacing: 25-35 cm
- Growth Habit: 50-80 cm tall
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS
Some of the most anticipated spring wildflowers are the rangy blossom spikes of lupines. The colourful blooms are a welcome sign early in the year. They are fast growers and are kept both as annuals and perennials. Start your seeds early in the spring, select the right spot and you can enjoy your lupines every year.
Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost or sow directly after all danger of frost has passed. Seeds should be scarified before planting by chipping with a knife or rubbing with sandpaper. Seeds also benefit from a period of cold stratification. After scarifying the seeds, wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them in the refrigerator for a week.
Using tall biodegradable peat or coco pots, gently press seeds into the surface of the soil. Lupines start to develop a taproot immediately and it’s best to disturb it as little as possible when transplanting out. Lightly cover seeds with soil and keep moist until germination in about two to four weeks. Harden off with gradual exposure to the elements in a sheltered place and transplant into the garden after the last frost.
Lupines will do best under full sun, especially in cooler climates. In hot regions, afternoon shade is advised. Provide a garden space with soil rich in organic matter and good drainage. Water regularly during dry spells but don’t let the soil stay damp for long periods of time. Lupines prefer cool summers and grow especially well in northern climates. Too much high heat and sun may discourage flowering.
Lupines won’t require any fertilizer, just supplement them with compost if the soil doesn’t contain a high level of organic matter. Stake or tie up the tall flower stalks to keep them from flopping over and deadhead the spent blossoms to promote more blooming.
Being from the same family as legumes like peas and alfalfa, lupines take nitrogen from the air and fix it into the soil. Try mixing them into the vegetable garden or using them as a cover crop in rotations. Flowers can be left in the garden over winter to self-seed.
Lupines started from seed usually won’t bloom in their first year, but be patient. Take care of them and have faith that you’ll be rewarded with their gorgeous towers of polka-dot blooms for many seasons to come.
QUICK FACTS
- Lupines are excellent nitrogen-fixers in the garden. They are often planted near squash, cucumber and broccoli to improve the quality of the soil and facilitate the growth of these plants.
- Lupine seeds will remain viable for 2 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.
