Lupin Tree

[JennieAtkinson]

Has anyone got a lupin tree? Not really a tree, but a shrub I suppose. My sister in law sent me a potted one she found when she realised I was struggling to grow lupins in Tingwall (in our old house in Lerwick I used to pull them up by the handful as they spread so quickly!).

Was hoping to attach a pic but it was really dark today (and hellish cold) and it has not come out.

Anyway .......... was wondering whether I should plant this in the garden. So far I have had it growing in a pot in case it was allergic to my soil which tends towards the alkalinel. I have had it three years and it hasn't really grown alot. Any tips? Just LOVE lupins and quite upset I haven't been able to grow any here in Tingwall. Not for want of trying!

[nick the grief]

Hi Jennie,

Found this which may explain things:-

A perennial favourite that grows to about 5 feet tall. Semi evergreen. Soft lilac, cream and lavender flowers that have the most delightful perfume.

Flower mid Summer.
Grow to approximately 5 feet tall.
Thrive in full sun and prefer a neutral to acid soil which is not too rich.
Plant 2 feet apart.
I'm not sure what to suggest to you, you could try a half barrel full of JI No3 & then give it a feed every year.

I would have thought that you'd have acid soil up there, I allways think of peat bogs & heather but I guess thats the mainland

[Alice]

Hello Jennie, I had some lupin trees which I grew from seed. As you say they are really quite open shrubs which did lovely yellow lupin flowers, very well scented. However they are quite short lived and lasted about three years. They were growing in soil which was neutral to acid and neutritionally rubbish and in a climate which is warmer and drier than yours. Gave them no special attention. Can only suggest put them in a sheltered spot and see how they go. You do have your own micro climate there. What goes great guns for you ?

[poultrychat]

I've got some too that I grew from seed with yellow flowers, they are a bit messy but lovely

[burnie]

We have several hundred yards of them on the edge of our village on the by-pass.It's a cutting , quite deep and they are growing on the eastern side of the road , quite high up.So I guess they like good drainage,poor soil and don't seem to need any care what so ever as I've not seen anyone near them.

[JennieAtkinson]

I can report that I put mine outside this year, in a relatively sheltered spot, still in the pot, which I sunk into the ground. It has gone MAD!!! It's huge and flopping all over the place. My best plant in the garden. The tunnel was a perhaps too hot, and it has obviusly enjoyed being outside. It's still flowering (1 October!) and I didn't feed it or do anything to it.

Think I will bring it into the tunnel for the winter and just bring it out for the summer each year. If I can get to the pot that is .........

[dinah gale]

I have seen these growing in sand dunes on the coast here, Jennie, so they're really happy in a poor soil. Mind you, this is in Devon and the climate is, I guess, softer than with you.

I've grown them myself in my last garden and, yes, they don't last for absolutely years but seed readily. The only problem I experienced with mine was with aphids - disgusting grey ones which you need to deal with early.

As well as the yellow one I had a low growing, spready tree lupin with silvery leaves and deep blue flowers. Can't remember the name though, I'm afraid.

They've got the loveliest fragrance and well worth growing, I think. Oh my, I can feel a visit to the plant nursery coming on. So much to do in the lottie that I can't really think about my home garden though.

All the best with your plant - let us know how you gget on with it, won't you?