Yellow Shades Lupine

Lupines are brilliant plants for shady spots in the garden. The tall spikes of pea-like flowers last a long time and provide nectar to many beneficial pollinators early in the growing season. Yellow Shades is just about the perfect version of lupine. It is a dwarf variety but still retains sturdy, full-sized flowers in bicolored shades of yellow, requiring little to no staking. This perennial is excellent for the front of a cottage garden bed, or added to a mixed seasonal planter for a lovely pop of color.

Yellow Shades Lupine blooms from early to mid-summer with little maintenance necessary after it has been established in the garden. Deer are not likely to browse either the flowers or palmate-shaped leaves. Slug and snails may be a problem when tender new growth appears in the spring but will not bother the mature stems and flowers. Lupines also require little to no supplemental fertilizing. They are part of the Legume (pea) family and have a unique talent for collecting nitrogen from the air and storing it in nodules on the tips of their roots. Over-fertilizing lupines often results in leggy growth that is more susceptible to damage from disease and aphids. 

Yellow Shades Lupine Care

Lupines should be planted in locations with well-draining soil that retains moisture. Mulching annually with arborist chips or shredded leaves will improve the moisture-holding capacity and help to keep the root system cool during the summer months. The pH of the soil can range from acidic to neutral. Shady woodlands are the perfect setting as long as the lupines are not sited in dry shade, such as under conifer or oak trees. Full sun is acceptable as long as there is shade during the hottest part of the day. Containers of lupines on patios or decks should be positioned in dappled sunlight or out of hot afternoon sun.

Deadhead lupines as the flower spike fades to control the amount of self-seeding and to encourage a few more flower stems to form. Cut the spent flower stem back to a set of true leaves to keep the overall shape neat and compact. Fall is the best time to cut lupines back for the winter. Aphids are a constant pest for this plant, and clearing away all dead top growth in the fall helps eliminate any that may overwinter and emerge in the spring. Mulch the crowns with 2-3 inches of organic compost or arborist chips to provide insulation from the winter freezes. In the spring, clear the mulch away from the crown as the new growth begins.

Yellow Shades Lupine Spacing

The mature height of Yellow Shades Lupine is  8-12 inches, and the spread is 10-14 inches. Plant multiple plants 12 inches apart on the center to provide adequate air circulation between plants. 

Yellow Shades Lupine Information