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Skyblue Lupine

(Lupinus diffusus)

This Florida native is annual or short-lived perennial. In my backyard it grows up to 12 inches tall, it slowly spreads by self-seeding and looks beautiful, growing alone or in group, blooming or not. Of course the color of Skyblue Lupine's spikes with pastel flowers is enchanting but its foliage, which reminds me of lamb's ears or dusty miller, is just as pretty - even without blooms. It is covered in silky soft, silvery white hairs.

Skyblue Lupine is also a great cut flower. This bouquet looked fresh and pretty for more than a week.

Skyblue Lupine's seeds should be planted in late spring to early summer with germination in fall. Transplanting should be avoided since lupines are unforgiving of root disturbances. With sufficient rainfall in winter, your new Skyblue Lupine should bloom in its first season (spring). In Southern Florida Skyblue Lupine will most likely dry up and die after blooming.

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