Lupinus polyphyllus

Lupine

Common names: Large-leaved Lupine, Garden Lupine, Perennial Lupine

Photo: Joe Mabel (on Flickr as Joe Mabel from Seattle, US) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

This description was machine-translated.

Description

The garden lupine produces densely packed flower spikes in blue, pink and white in June and July, reaching into the summer sky, and is one of the most beautiful annual garden perennials. As a butterfly plant it fixes nitrogen through its root nodules and improves the soil. The seeds are poisonous and should not be placed in children's hands.

Care instructions

Sow the lupine from March (week 12) directly into the bed; it develops a deep taproot and should not be transplanted. Provide it with a well-drained, slightly acidic soil in full sun and do not fertilise with nitrogen, which it does not need. Cut the flower spikes immediately after they fade (July week 28); then it often blooms a second time and does not spread uncontrollably.

Soil & site

Soil pH

4.0pH 5.5–6.88.0

Soil type

sandy, loamy, humus-rich, well-drained, lean, lime-avoiding

LightFull sun

HardinessHardy

Water needMedium

Feeding

Light feeder

Companion planting

Good neighbors

cabbage family (Brassicaceae)

particularly well established

Leguminous plants collect nitrogen in the soil, from which Brassicaceae benefit as heavy feeders.

For example White cabbageKohlrabiRadishKalebroccolicauliflower and 34 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

carrot family (Apiaceae)

Peas and beans provide carrot and celery with nitrogen and grow as shallow-rooted plants without competition next to each other.

For example Carrotcelery rootDillParsleyCarrot fennelCoriander and 19 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

gourd family (Cucurbitaceae)

Beans and peas enrich the soil with nitrogen, which cucurbits, as heavy feeders, can make good use of.

For example CucumberPumpkinCourgettepickling cucumberButternutHokkaido and 14 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

Delphinium Marguerite Tall Phlox

Rather not

amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)

particularly well established

Allium species inhibit the nitrogen‑fixing rhizobia of legumes through their root exudates, which slows their growth.

For example GarlicOnionLeekChivesDaffodilRocambole and 12 more species in the catalogue

Source: basic crop‑rotation rule

Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.

Some of these explanations were machine-translated.

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