Lupinus latifolius

Common Names

Broadleaf Lupine, Bigleaf Lupine, Broad-Leaved Lupine, Broad Leaf Lupine, Broad-Leaf Lupine

Summary

Broadleaf lupine, Lupinus latifolius, is a perennial herb native to western North America, forming a bushy, densely branched clump from a woody caudex with an extensive root system. It grows about 0.3–1.2 meters tall, with palmately compound leaves of 5–10 leaflets and showy racemes 10–30 cm long of pea-like flowers colored purple, blue, or white often with a white or yellow spot; the fruit is a densely hairy legume containing 6–10 seeds, and the species is a nitrogen-fixing legume that regenerates by seed and vegetative means, spreading via root sprouts to form colonies.

In cultivation it prefers full sun to partial shade in shallow, coarse-textured, rocky, well-drained soils and tolerates low fertility thanks to nitrogen fixing. Propagation is by seed, with fresh seeds requiring no treatment and stored seeds possibly needing scarification or hot water; vegetative propagation is generally reserved for named cultivars. Moderately cold-hardy, tolerating around -15°C when fully dormant. Uses include erosion control, soil stabilization, and habitat restoration, supporting wildlife such as bees and butterflies; well-suited for informal gardens, prairies, and meadows. Caution: all parts may contain alkaloids and be toxic to livestock.

Lifecycle

Annual, Perennial

Height

12 inches-4 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun and Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Deep, well-drained, moderately fertile soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil (preferably deep)

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly acidic

Bloom Color

Blue and Purple

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer (typically April to August, depending on location)

Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast, Rapid

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, Attracts butterflies, Attracts birds, Attracts other pollinators (insects)