Re: Lupines
- Subject: Re: [SG] Lupines
- From: M*@AOL.COM
- Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 03:30:44 EDT
In a message dated 8/12/2004 8:32:49 PM Central Standard Time,
akloski@JPS.NET writes:
I have tried lupines here in my part shade/part sun areas in Zone 7, but
they have not done well, and didnt return the next year. We were in Ireland
recently and saw wonderful, large lupines. Someone told me they were "tree
lupines". Is that different than the usual ones? Has anyone had
experience with these?
Anelle
There are well over 250 species and or varieties in the wild.
Lupinus arboreus Might be the one you saw, it has yellow flowers.
Lupines for the most part need deep well draining soils that are lime free.
They do not like to be wet for any length of time or overly dry.
They are winter hardy if in well drained soils that are not heavy and one can
avoid wetness, Hard to do here in Minnesota because we usually have wet
springs as the snow melts and there is often a period of time in early to mid
summer were we get rain for two weeks.
So Lupines are often a hit of miss plant around here, but many people do grow
them.
Best to grow your own from seed or buy small plants, since they resent having
the tap root damaged.
The most commonly grown Lupines are the "Russell Hybrids" which are the
result of a complex hydridazion program involving different species including L.
arboreus and L.perennis.
Paul
