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Lupines
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Posted by
AdamKR SE Wisconsin (
My Page) on
Wed, Jul 27, 11 at 0:31
| Hello,
I purchased a bunch of Russel Lupines earlier in the year and put them right into the ground at the end of April. It was a tough Spring and very chilly so I didn't get a chance to plant them earlier. My question is that they still haven't bloomed yet however we are now at the end of July and their leafs are getting bigger and larger by the day. Can Lupines still bloom in August? I live in SE Wisconsin so it's a climate that isn't very hot, but so far this July we have been drier and warmer than normal. Should I have any hope left!? haha... Thanks for the help in advance... I do have pics of there current progress... I'm just not sure how to post on here.
Adam |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Lupines
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| Hopefully this pic works... |
Here is a link that might be useful: My Lupines
RE: Lupines
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| Adam, your plants looks very healthy and young. You may not get blooms until next year as some perennials don't bloom until second or third year of growth. I'm assuming you are in Zone 4a (you could add that info to your profile) which means you will probably need to mulch for winter protection. In the summer, Lupines like their roots to remain cool. Apply a 2"-3" layer of mulch around the plants to help protect their roots from summers heat. The link below has lots of good tips and growing\care instructions. Rosie |
Here is a link that might be useful: Success with Lupines
RE: Lupines
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| I love lupines. I went to Maine this year and was amazed! They are every place there. Will they grow in Tennessee? it's really hot in the summer here. I think I read some place that they can't take the heat here. I think I read on Plant Delights that southern gardeners should grow Baptisia instead. However, Baptisia is not as beautiful as Lupines! I guess I could try wintersowing them. |
RE: Lupines
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| A well grown lupine is a delight. I grow them here in an ideal climate for them. The first year the bloom will be restrained. The second year is by far the most beautiful. The third year they may die or the bloom will limited, more like the first year. I have never had them the fourth year. Al |
RE: Lupines
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| Thanks so much for the responses... Would it be wise to cut them back when fall comes or have them die off on there own? Also, Could I add more seeds before winter? |
RE: Lupines
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| Just FYI, I started some from seed last year. i'm sure I had over 10 that made it and established themselves in the garden. I got a bloom from maybe 3 plants total later in the summer. This year they looked fabulous! So, my experience says you may get a bit of blooming this year, but next year you'll be happy. As for adding seeds, I would think you can, but the seeds may become lunch or dinner for something else. Have you checked out winter sowing? That's how I grew mine from seed. I have also heard up here that they reseed easily, as well, so you could have a growing bed of lupines even with no more maintenance from you! |
RE: Lupines
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| I winter sowed lupine seeds both last year and again this year. They're one of the first things to germinate, for me it was mid-March when I saw my first sprout. They grew into beautiful plants and bloomed a little in September the first year. This year they were spectacular. I also winter sowed seeds of the native lupines that grow in Maine. They are extremely vigorous seedlings. 
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RE: Lupines
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| Those have to be some of the most beautiful plants on earth! |
RE: Lupines
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| Adam, your plants look good, and it looks like you will have the big wave of blooms next Spring. Beautiful Gardenweed! I didn't have Lupine blooms this year, but have a bunch of seedlings growing in the Xeric garden. I winter-sowed some, and also scattered seeds last fall, both of which resulted in lots of seedlings. I'm waiting/hoping for the big bloom next Spring too. Incidentally, the Lupines that grow in Maine are Lupinus polyphyllus, which is native to the Northwest, not the northeast. They have naturalized in Maine. |
RE: Lupines
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| Gardenweed, those are absolutely spectacular! No doubt Lupines are one of my favorite perennials... Cannot wait until I see some blooms... I will post pics when they bloom! On a side note, I also started Hollyhock by seed this year and believe it or not are already starting to have tons of buds on them, I couldn't believe it. |
RE: Lupines - it's more than the flowers
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| Thanks everyone! I also had blue, pink & white lupine blooms this year and have saved a lot of seeds to trade. The foliage on these as well as lady's mantle just fascinates me
 
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RE: Lupines
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| Kids of all ages are mezmerized by the water beads on Lady's Mantle and Lupine. Someone asked what is on that plant? It was a giant pearl of water that collected at the bottom of a lupin leaf and because the sun was shining at just the right angle it looked about 2 inches in diameter. Does anyone know what causes the water balls? I can't remember the name either. Surface tension??? |
RE: Lupines
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| Gardenweed, Most beautiful Lupins I have ever seen and I bet they are even more lovely in person!! Mine bloomed for 6 weeks in early Spring, and I am going to plant some red ones. Betty |
RE: Lupines
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| I planted some lupine plants 2 summers ago. Had beautiful blooms last year. This year I saw several babies coming up all around the first 3 I had planted. Thought I would have a great showing. Here I am in August and we never saw a single bloom. I'm in NE wisconsin.... things were humid and hot but we had plenty of water on that spot. Can't figure out what went wrong. :( |
RE: Lupines
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| bettyfb - thanks for the compliments but I can't take the credit for anything other than plunking seeds in growing mix and setting the winter sown containers out in the snow. Ma Nature did the rest. FranciePants - don't get discouraged. From what I've read, lupines are notoriously difficult to keep growing. They thrive in lousy soil, imperfect weather conditions and zero disturbance...i.e., they want to be left alone to grow (or not) right where you plant them. For me, they're worth all the effort & aggravation because they're so spectacular when they bloom but if it's too much for other folks I can understand. Not everyone has time for/is tolerant of prima donna/drama queen plants. There are lots of other perennials that thrive on neglect altho' they likely won't put on the show that lupine flowers & foliage do every spring. |
RE: Lupines
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I've had good luck with the purple Lupines, but when I've planted pink ones from seed they never come up. Mine are the first thing up in the garden and this year bloomed through August. We have very cold and long winters. In Sept. I cut them back several inches from the ground mulch them almost to being covered and tell them "good night".
The red ones in the above pictures are gorgeous! |
RE: Lupines
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| Lupine seed I soak over night in hot water, before planting. Al |
RE: Lupines
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| Calistoga --thanks for the suggestion re: soaking the seeds first! |
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