farmhouseandblooms.com

Every summer lupines bloom along our roadsides and highways here in Nova Scotia. Learn how to grow lupines in the garden, to enjoy these beautiful perennials year after year.

farmhouseandblooms.com

Lupines are herbaceous perennial plants with a long taproots. They are not easily transplanted, and are best grown from seed.

farmhouseandblooms.com

Although considered a wild flower, these plants also make great plantings for the spring garden, providing lots of color to enjoy every year.

farmhouseandblooms.com

Lupines are also important plants for the pollinators, and especially the bees. It’s fun to watch the bees dance around the lupine flowers in the garden.

farmhouseandblooms.com

The seeds of the lupine plant are contained within elongated seed pods which are grey colored at maturity, and covered with hairs.

farmhouseandblooms.com

Lupine seeds will require a period of stratification prior to germination. Place in cold moist storage for several weeks.

farmhouseandblooms.com

Lupines can also be propagated by basal cell cuttings. Basal cuttings should be taken in mid spring from sturdy shoots of lupine plants.

farmhouseandblooms.com

You can also winter sow your lupine seeds using the winter sowing method in milk jugs which will naturally stratify the seeds.

farmhouseandblooms.com

To plant lupine seeds indoors, start the seeds 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date.

farmhouseandblooms.com

Lupine seeds can be planted in paper pots or seedling trays, and placed on a heat mat until they germinate.

farmhouseandblooms.com

Place the seedlings under grow lights until they are ready to be hardened off and transplanted out in spring.

farmhouseandblooms.com

Plant lupines in a sunny location for best blooming. Water well after planting, and keep the newly planted seedlings moist while establishing.

farmhouseandblooms.com

Lupines are easy to grow, and make a great addition to the garden space.

For more information see the tutorial!