Blue Lupin

Lupins are one of my favourite perennials, and these slate blue plants were grown from seed I gathered. They are happily flowering in Autumn from a Spring sowing. I'd usually associate lupins flowering with the early summer garden.

Blue Lupin

Lupins are short lived perennials, so every year I sow new plants. I've never before produced such a great colour though.

Blue Lupins under the Elm Tree

Russell Lupins

I have some well established patches of pink Russell Lupins - these have been flowering well for a few years now in Middle garden. Russell lupins are a tall variety.

I am also looking after a patch of shorter lupins in the driveway border. They are bi-coloured - pale blue and lemon.

I propagate new plants by taking cuttings from the base of the plant in early spring, and by collecting seed and growing new plants in my glass house.

Lupins are the easiest of plants to find good neighbours for - and when not flowering their foliage is quite beautiful.

It will always be debatable whether lupins should be included in an annuals or perennials section of a garden book or a garden website. If you follow the link above you'll see I've decided to hedge my bets!