How To Care For Lupine Flowers

Lupine (Lupinus) is an unusual looking plant with medium-green leaves and long, upright flower spikes. Lupine is available in a variety of shades, including purple, dark blue, pink, yellow and white. The foliage of this plant grows from 1 to 2 feet tall while the blooms sometimes reach heights of up to 4 feet. Lupine does well in most growing conditions, although it will not live if planted in heavy soil. Lupine grows wild in many regions of both North America and Europe.

Step 1

Place the desired number of lupine seeds into a moistened paper towel. Place the paper towel inside a plastic bag and put in the refrigerator for seven days.

Step 2

Prepare the planting site by removing all grass, weeds and rocks. Use a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 20 inches.

Step 3

Sow the seeds liberally, and cover with 1/8-inch of soil. Water until the seed bed is moist, but not soggy. Be careful not to submerge the seeds more deeply than recommended when watering.

Step 4

Water whenever the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Thin the seedlings once they have all emerged, leaving a space of 18 to 24 inches between each plant.

Step 5

Fertilize once each month with an all-purpose organic fertilizer. Clip off faded flowers regularly to prolong the blooming cycle.

Step 6

Examine the plants often for signs of insect infestation. Aphids are the most common insect to attack lupine. Treat promptly with insecticidal soap if you suspect a problem.