Lupine Scarlet Flower Seeds

Lupine, Scarlet (Lupinus Polyphyllus My Castle), 15 seeds per package

If you’re looking for a showy summer-flowering perennial that will stand out from the crowd, lupine is a sure front-runner. The tall, lush spires of vividly colored flowers are like floral traffic cones, compelling you to slow down and take notice. In addition to their irresistible beauty, lupines are also valued for their ability to flourish in challenging environments, including sandy nutrient-poor soils, high elevations, and areas with cool summers.

Planting from seed:
Lupine seeds have very tough outer shells that need to be softened up before sowing. You can do this by soaking the seeds in warm water for a few hours or by scarifying them with sandpaper or a small file to help them absorb water. Sow seeds at a shallow depth of about ¼ inch under loose topsoil, and keep them evenly moist until they germinate. Seedlings will emerge 15 to 25 days after planting.

Watering:
After planting lupines, keep the soil evenly moist to ensure good root development. Once your plants are deeply rooted, they can tolerate dryer conditions and will only need water during periods of drought. Applying a layer of mulch will help lock in soil moisture and keep the roots cool.

Plant type:
Annual, Perennial in warmer zones
Zones: Typically 4-8; best treated as annuals south of zone 6
Bloom time: Late spring to early or midsummer
Length of bloom: 3 to 5 weeks
Height: 1 to 5 feet

Flower characteristics:
A member of the pea family (Fabaceae), lupine flowers are similar to those of pea blossoms but are packed tightly together on conical spikes that stand tall and erect above palmate foliage. The blossoms open from the bottom up and often display more than one color on the same plant, in hues ranging from soft pastels to deep reds and violet blues. After the flowers fade, they are replaced by flat pea-shaped seedpods. Hummingbirds enjoy these beautiful flowers.

Pros:
Attracts an array of beneficial pollinators to the garden, including bumblebees, honeybees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Deer resistant.
Easy to grow from seed and will readily self-sow, which often compensates for their short lifespan.
Like other members of the pea family, lupine can improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen in the air and making it usable by other plants. Will also work well in large containers.

Cons: All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.
Difficult if not impossible to transplant because of deep taproots that resent being disturbed once established. Often wither or are short-lived in areas with hot, humid summers.