Lupins are hard to beat for early summer impact. Their tall, rocket-shaped flower spikes rise above neat clumps of foliage, bringing strong colour to beds and borders from June to July.
They were once the centre of national attention. In summer 1937, more than 80,000 gardeners travelled to a West Midlands nursery to see a new strain known as the ‘Russell Hybrids’. Bred over 25 years by jobbing gardener George Russell, they caused a sensation when first shown at the Westminster Flower Show on June 8 1937. Demand was so great that crowds descended on the nursery where they were grown commercially.
The excitement continued at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1938 and the Russell Hybrids remained popular for much of the 20th century. A British Pathé film from 1960 claimed Russell ‘added more colour to the English garden than any other man’.
Today, while they may not draw crowds of thousands, lupins still earn their place in any sunny border.
Lupins belong to the legume family Fabaceae and grow naturally in the Mediterranean, North Africa and across North, Central and South America. In the wild they thrive on hillsides, grassland, woodland and riverbanks.
An important species, Lupinus polyphyllus, arrived in Britain from North America in the 1820s. With flower spikes up to 1.5m tall in shades of blue to purple, it later provided the basis for Russell’s breeding work.
Russell began his quest in 1911, aiming to create plants that were more colourful, stronger and more disease resistant than wild forms. Before his death in 1950, he introduced 152 varieties. Only a few remain today, including the carmine red ‘The Page’ and creamy white ‘Noble Maiden’.
Best lupins to grow
Modern gardeners can choose from a wide range of varieties, including surviving Russell types.
Lupins form clumps of dark green, palmate leaves and produce flower spikes from 30cm to 1.5m tall. Colours range from soft whites and creams to rich reds, blues and striking bicolours.
Paler shades include:
• ‘Polar Princess’ with white spikes to 75cm
• ‘Cashmere Cream’ with creamy white flowers to 90cm
• ‘Chandelier’ with lemon-yellow spikes to 1.2m
• ‘Gallery Pink’ with candy-pink spires to 60cm
Stronger colours include:
• ‘Beefeater’ with pillar-box red plumes to 90cm
• ‘Terracotta’ with apricot-orange flowers to 90cm
• ‘Lupini Blue’ with deep blue flowers to 40cm
For contrast, try bicolours such as:
• ‘Manhattan Lights’ with yellow and purple flowers to 90cm
• ‘Masterpiece’ in orange and purple
• ‘Rachel de Thame’ with pink and white blooms
Where to plant lupins
Choose a sunny spot for the best results, although lupins will tolerate light, dappled shade.
They prefer free-draining, neutral to slightly acidic soil. Most soil types are suitable except heavy clay or chalky ground. Very alkaline conditions can cause the bright green leaves to turn yellow.
Because many varieties are tall, position them in the middle or back of a border. More compact types can be planted nearer the front. Plant in bold groups among lower growing plants or use them as vertical accents to break up softer planting.
How to care for lupins
Protect young shoots: In early spring, new growth can be damaged by slugs and snails. Protect plants by:
• Scattering organic slug pellets
• Using a physical barrier around shoots
Tackle aphids: Lupin aphids may appear in late spring and summer. Remove them by hand or spray with an organic pesticide.
Provide support: Tall varieties may need staking in exposed gardens. Place grow-through grid supports over emerging clumps in early spring. Alternatively, push in four canes around mature plants and tie loops of twine around the outside to hold stems upright.
Deadhead for more flowers: As flower spikes fade, cut them back to a healthy bud or sideshoot lower down the stem. This keeps plants tidy, prevents seed formation and can encourage a second flush of blooms in August or September.
Tidy up in autumn: Lupins die back in autumn. Cut away faded stems and leaves, then apply a layer of garden compost or leaf mould over the crowns in late autumn to protect them from frost.
How to propagate lupins
Lupins are often short-lived perennials, lasting around seven or eight years. To extend the life of a favourite plant, try cuttings or division.
Taking cuttings
• In mid to late spring, remove shoots from the base
• Trim to 8cm long
• Insert into pots
• Place in a heated propagator
Dividing plants
• Lift large clumps in early spring
• Split into several well-rooted sections
• Replant straight away
Division can be done but is not always successful.
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