Red Shades Lupine

Looking for a compact plant that still offers luscious, full-sized flowers? The Red Shades Lupine is the perennial for you. This dwarf selection, known scientifically as Lupinus p. Lupini ‘Red Shades’, features the recognizable pea-like lupine flowers in shades of light pink and red. The colorful blooms appear above narrow, blue-green, palmate foliage beginning in early summer.

Lupines are attractive to pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, but also deer resistant.  Grow several Red Shades in one area for an attractive mass planting. The compact form of this cultivar makes it an excellent candidate for mixed perennial plantings or borders. It is also a suitable selection for rock gardens and container growing.

Red Shades Lupine Care

Red Shades Lupine grows best in full sun to light shade. It prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and slightly acidic. Consider working peat or ample compost into the planting site if the soil pH may be too high. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant to keep the roots cool in summer and provide protection in winter. 

Snip off faded flowers to encourage a rebloom. Lupines have a long tap root, so division does not work well, but it is possible to remove and replant side shoots in the spring. Cut the plant back in early spring to remove winter kill. 

Red Shades Lupine Spacing

The Red Shades Lupine grows just 8 to 12 inches tall with a spread of 10 to 14 inches. Plant each lupine a minimum of 8 inches away from other plants. If growing the lupine in a container, choose a pot with a diameter of at least 10 inches. 

Red Shades Lupine Information