← Back to results

Broad-leaved Lupine

Lupinus latifolius var. latifolius

perennial herb View on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun, part shade

Water

low

Soil

Fast; Typically found on soils that are shallow, coarse-textured, rocky and fast draining.

Size

1–7ft tall

Bloom

Mar-May

Flowers

Prized

Keystone Plant

Supports up to 74 butterfly and moth species in Mediterranean California

Native Range

Meadows, grasslands, and riparian areas of the Sierra Nevada and mountains from Kern County to Modoc County, 4000-8000 ft elevation, extending to Oregon.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your Broad-leaved Lupine in full sun with fast-draining soil - it thrives in shallow, coarse-textured, rocky conditions, so amend heavy clay with sand or gravel if needed. Space plants according to their mature height (1 to 7 feet depending on variety), and plant in spring to give them time to establish before summer. This native perennial is happiest in the kind of lean, well-draining soil that would challenge other plants, so resist the urge to enrich it.

After Planting

Water weekly during your first summer to establish the plant, then taper off significantly - once established, Broad-leaved Lupine needs very little supplemental water and actually prefers drier conditions. The #1 mistake Bay Area gardeners make is overwatering or planting in rich, moisture-retentive soil, both of which lead to root rot and fungal problems. Expect spring blooms (March through May) and don't be alarmed if the plant goes dormant or looks sparse in summer - that's normal for this western native.

Visit Calscape for more information about Broad-leaved Lupine