Carolina Lupine

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

3-4 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

Images courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden

Producing towers of bright yellow flowers in summer, the Carolina Lupine is certainly eye-catching. Botanically called Thermopsis villosa, this perennial forms upright stems of green foliage up to four feet tall. Adored by bees and butterflies, the Carolina Lupine is a pollinator magnet. As a bonus, this plant is low maintenance and easy to care for.

This native perennial is deer tolerant and generally grows pest and disease-free. However, it does develop a long tap root and dislikes being transplanted. Flowering in July, Carolina Lupine injects a burst of bright color wherever it is grown. With a multitude of uses, you can grow her in a border, cottage garden or even a wildflower area. 

Carolina Lupine Care

For the best flowering display, Carolina Lupine likes to be grown in full sun. It can tolerate dry conditions but prefers an acidic, rich and fertile soil that is well drained, but moist. Watering for the first season or two is needed to help it establish. A slow-release balanced fertilizer applied in spring will help support its growth and blooms. 

Deadheading the faded flower spikes can help encourage another flush of blooms. Frosted growth can be cut back after the temperatures plummet.

Carolina Lupine Spacing

The Carolina Lupine can grow to a height and spread of 3 to 4 feet by 2 to 3 feet. It looks especially impressive when planted as a group or en masse. Space each plant 2 to 3 feet apart to allow for mature spread.