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Skyblue Lupine Lupinus diffusus

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
loo-PIE-nus dy-FEW-sus
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Skyblue Lupine is a beautiful blooming perennial but a very finicky plant to grow. It requires two things to grow: full sun and well-drained sandy soil. Native habitats include scrub, coastal strands, sandhills and pine flat woods. Its seeds can lie dormant for years, waiting for just the right conditions to germinate. Here in NC it only grows in the southern coastal and coastal plains areas.

It has lovely pea-like blue flowers in early spring with hairy velvety leaves. However, It is very difficult to transplant due to a deep taproot and it doesn't like being moved at all. This makes it very difficult for commercial growers as the seeds do not like being started in pots. So it is best to just enjoy it in its native habitat and help preserve that habitat.

 

More information on Lupinus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#blue flowers#spring flowers#NC native#well-drained soil#pollinator plant#native wildflower#poor soils tolerant#larval host plant#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#sandy soils tolerant#difficult to grow#Audubon#coastal plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#blue flowers#spring flowers#NC native#well-drained soil#pollinator plant#native wildflower#poor soils tolerant#larval host plant#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#sandy soils tolerant#difficult to grow#Audubon#coastal plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lupinus
    Species:
    diffusus
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Eastern U.S.A
    Wildlife Value:
    The gray hairstreak butterfly will use it as a host plant.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit an elongated, flattened pod. Displays from June to July.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Description:
    Blue pea-like flower with a white spot on the upper petal and 2 lower petals that are fused. They are borne on dense spikes. Blooms from March to May.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Green leaves with many fine white hairs
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat
    Humidity
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Respiratory depression and slow heartbeat, sleepiness, convulsions if large amounts are eaten.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Alkaloids such as lupinine, anagyrine, sparteine, and hydroxylupanine
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Seeds