Lupinus STAIRCASE™ YELLOW lupine
size/type
mid-sized perennial,mid-sized perennial
usual height
0,5-0,6m
usual width
0,3-0,4m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
June-August
location
full to partial sun
USDA zone (lowest)
4 (down to -34°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Lupines are the inevitable item of English gardens as well as Czech woodlands. They come from North America and naturally grow in sunny locations of moist woodland edges and rocky slopes where their roots establish well in crevices that never lack moisture but are free draining. STAIRCASE™ is an American series developed at Green Fuse Botanicals Inc in Michigan and comprise of several one or bi-coloured varieties which repeat flowering throughout summer.
Description of the plant:
STAIRCASE™ Yellow is a yellow flowering lupine from the above mentioned series. The colour is not pale, yet not mustard yellow, sort of rich vanilla yellow. And as every lupine it has the typical lupine fragrance. Stems are about 50-60 cm tall. Blooming begins in June and continues throughout summer if spent flowers are removed as soon as they begin to fade - prevent them from production of seeds. If the plant is weak and unsightly after flowering cut it back and it will produce a nice mound of new foliage that will be attractive until the end of the growing season. Deciduous, palmate leaves are deep green and very attractive as they are finely divided. Lupines like free draining soil that retains moisture and is preferably acidic. They can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and distribute it through their roots. This is why they are often used as pioneer plants in poor soils. The flowering spikes are sturdy but fleshy and should be planted where they can be protected from the extreme wind blasts that could bend or break them. These plants are short-lived and should be dug out in the spring every 3-5 years, woody parts removed, and new plants put pack to encourage fresh growth.
Unlike sweet-lupines whose seeds are edible, ornamental lupines (bitter-lupines) can be harmful if eaten. Unfortunately slugs don't mind and can devastate both your seedlings as well as old clumps so choosing an effective slug repellent may be crucial. Hardy to about -34°C.
Last update 15-06-2019
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