Perennial Lupine

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Perennial lupine is one of the rather unpretentious plants in the care. In total, there are more than two hundred species of this plant in the genus. As for cultivation as a perennial plant, gardeners most often choose tree lupine or multifoliate lupine.

Beyond any dependence on the type of this plant, lupine is always an ornamental plant. In addition to amazingly beautiful inflorescences of red color, the plant is also endowed with leaves of a rather complex shape. For this reason, even after the flowering period is over, the plant will still be very decorative. When cut, this plant can stay in water for a very long time.

The most common types of perennial lupine are: furry, multi-leaved, beautiful, nutkan, brevera, arctic, silvery, and arboreal.

Features of the care and cultivation of perennial lupine

For growing perennial lupine, it is recommended to choose either sunny or slightly shaded areas. However, it is important to remember that growing the plant in partial shade will result in longer flowering times. It is noteworthy that perennial lupine is completely undemanding to soils: the plant is capable of developing favorably on literally any soils. However, it is recommended to give preference to loose and well-drained soils. As a so-called green manure crop, this plant can also be grown in poor soils.

For the favorable development of this plant, moderate watering is important, which should be increased throughout the spring period. Weeding the soil will also be required as needed. It is worth noting that perennial lupine is particularly responsive to feeding. As for mineral fertilizers, they must be applied in the spring. At the same time, fertilizing with the help of mineral fertilizers can hardly be called mandatory: they should be applied only if desired.

In order to prevent diseases of this plant, wood ash must be added to the soil. As for the four-year-old bushes, they need to be hilled in order to maintain their original appearance. The same flowers that are grown in windy areas need to be tied to a very reliable support. Those inflorescences that have already bloomed will need to be cut off, in which case the flowering of perennial lupine will be longer. As for perennial lupines, their main distinguishing feature is that they are able to bloom twice in one season. The first bloom will begin in mid-July and the second bloom will begin around August.

For the winter period, it is necessary to cut off the stems of this plant, after which the yellowed leaves should be removed, while the green leaves should remain intact. After the pruning is done, the plant should be mulched.

For the winter period of time, it will not be necessary to cover this plant, the only exceptions are tree-like forms. Those stems and leaves that have been cut can be used as fertilizer. For example, these parts of the plant can be buried under currant or raspberry bushes. It is noteworthy that perennial lupine can grow in one place for about six years, after which the plant should be renewed for the reason that its flowering is weakening.

Reproduction of perennial lupine

Reproduction of perennial lupine can occur by dividing the bush, using seeds, and also by cuttings. Seeds should be sown in the month of April, after the threat of frost has completely passed. In addition, it is permissible to plant the plant directly in open ground at the end of October. When the plant is planted in the fall, the seeds should be buried about two centimeters. After that, such crops must be sprinkled with a thin layer of peat.