Lupinus variicolor
A California-endemic lupine shrub with lavender to white flowers along the northern coast, growing from sea level to about 500 m, and serving as a host plant for the endangered Mission Blue butterfly.
Common Names
Varied Lupine, Manycolored Lupine, Lindley's Varied Lupine, Varicolored Lupine
Summary
Varied lupine is a shrub native to California, chiefly along the northern coast in coastal scrub and coastal prairie habitats; it features silvery palmate leaves with 6–9 leaflets and lavender-to-white flowers on short spikes in summer, with a 0–1640 ft elevational range and reports from Sutter County.
Grows in well-drained loam or sand soils, in full sun to partial shade, with low water needs and moderate maintenance; landscape uses include borders, wildlife gardens, wildflower meadows, and patios or containers; it attracts butterflies and bees and serves as a food plant for the endangered Mission Blue butterfly.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
12-19 inches
Spread
4-19.5 inches
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun. Tolerates partial shade
Soil Type
Well-drained, light soil (loam or sandy) that is slightly acidic.
Soil Drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Tolerates all pH levels
Bloom Color
Lavender, White
Bloom Time
Summer
Foliage Color
Green, silver-gray
Fall Foliage Color
Green, Silver-gray
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
2–5 years
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Propagation Methods
Seeds and basal stem cuttings
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Steud.
- Publication
- Nomencl. Bot. , ed. 2, 2: 78 (1841)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Fabales
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Subfamily
- Papilionoideae
- Genus
- Lupinus
Synonyms
Lupinus varicolor Lupinus littoralis var. variicolor Lupinus micheneri Lupinus versicolor