Spreading 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
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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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
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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
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit an elongated, flattened pod. Displays from June to July.
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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.
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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
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
