Thermopsis villosa

Common Names

Carolina Lupine, False Lupine, Carolina False Lupine, Bush Pea, Carolina Bushpea, Aaron's Rod, Blue Ridge Golden-Banner, Southern Lupine

Summary

Thermopsis villosa, commonly called Carolina lupine, is a perennial legume native to the southeastern United States (Carolina mountains and Georgia), with occurrences in Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. It forms an upright, clump-forming plant typically 3–5 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide, bearing dense terminal racemes of yellow, lupine-like flowers on erect spikes from late spring to early summer, above gray-green, trifoliate foliage with hairy leaf surfaces. Drought-tolerant and sun-loving, it prefers well-drained soils and offers bright color for wildflower gardens, borders, and cutting beds; pollinators are attracted while deer are generally averse.

Propagation is by seed or root division; mature seeds may require pretreatment such as boiling-water soaking to improve germination, and establishment can take up to three years. A long taproot makes transplanting difficult; hardiness is in USDA zones 4–9. Used in meadows, native plantings, borders, and wildflower settings, Thermopsis villosa is noted for low maintenance and strong bee and butterfly appeal, with few serious pest or disease issues reported.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-5 feet

Spread

24-36 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun; tolerates Partial Sun to Partial Shade

Soil Type

Average, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

Acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Medium

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Root Cutting, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds