Southern Lupine Thermopsis villosa
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Thermopsis caroliniana
- Phonetic Spelling
- ther-MOP-sis vil-OH-sah
- Description
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The tall spikes of Southern Lupine's bright yellow flowers are a beautiful sight in spring. Although native to the mountains of North Carolina and Georgia, these clump-forming plants perform beautifully in the Piedmont and coastal plain, where true Lupines don't grow well because of the heat. Cut the foliage back about a month after flowering and it may bloom again in fall.
Plant in average moist well-drained soil in full to partial sun. Avoid crowding this plant to prevent fungal disease and water during a drought. It adds bright spring color to the back of the border.
- 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:
- Thermopsis
- Species:
- villosa
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- AL , CT , GA , MA , ME , NC , NH , NJ , NY , PA , TN , VA , VT , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Host for butterfly larvae.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- 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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Seed pods have long shaggy hairs and slit open when dry. Displays from July to September
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Yellow to cream-colored sweet-pea-like flowers in crowded, long and narrow erect clusters 4-18 inches long. Blooms from May to June.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are gray-green and trifoliate with three oval leaflets in each leaf. Leaflets are 2-3” long with hairy lower surfaces. There are large leafy stipules at the base of the leaf stalk.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
