Lupine, Blue & White (1/4 lb)

Blue and White Lupine (Lupinus nanus) is an annual Mexican lupine that produces rich blue-and-white flower spikes atop 8 to 15 slender stems. Blooming from spring to early summer in full sun, it is a nitrogen-fixing legume that enriches soil and attracts pollinators. It is especially effective on banks for erosion control and self-sows readily where competition is low. This 1/4 lb size suits broadcasting a larger area.

At a glance

• Botanical name: Lupinus nanus
• Type: Annual lupine, hardy in zones 4 to 9
• Germination: 10 to 20 days
• Soil temperature: 50 to 70 degrees F
• Sun: Full sun
• Planting depth: 1 to 1.5 inches
• Spacing after thinning: 6 to 12 inches
• Height at maturity: 12 to 24 inches

Best for

• Wildflower meadows and water-wise landscapes
• Erosion control on banks and slopes
• Pollinator gardens and nitrogen-fixing cover
• Pairing with California poppies for seasonal color
• Self-sowing naturalized areas

How to grow

Sow directly outdoors in fall to give seedlings a head start, or in spring for later blooms, planting 1 to 1.5 inches deep in well-draining soil in full sun with soil around 50 to 70 degrees F. Seeds germinate in 10 to 20 days. Thin to 6 to 12 inches apart. Avoid high-nitrogen amendments, and leave some seed heads to mature to encourage reseeding.

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