Page 20 - North Haven Magazine Issue 25 Autumn 2022

by Sally Brockett

hen you hear the word “lupin”, also spelled, and pronounced “lupine”, can you envision this beau-
Wtiful flower in your mind? Would you recognize it growing in a garden or along the road? Do you
know that lupins used to be seen commonly in North Haven? Let’s learn more about these lovely flowers
and maybe even consider growing them in gardens and meadows, or along the road.

Origin of the name
The genus name, lupin, is derived from the Latin word
for “wolf” which is “lupus”. Long ago it was thought
that the lupin drained away, or “wolfed down the min-
erals in the soil where they were growing. It was later
found that lupins actually are nitrogen-fixers just like
other plants in the pea family. In fact, some species of
lupins are grown specifically for commercial green ma-
nure.

What do they look like?
Lupins are available as perennials, which means they
emerge in the spring, grow, and blossom during the
early summer, and die back in the fall. They are also
available as annuals, so be sure when you purchase Lupins are great for the pollinator gardens.
lupins that you know if you are buying the perennial
or the annual. They produce flower spikes that could The flowers appear in a variety of colors including blue,
reach 3-4 feet tall, though some species are shorter. purple, pink, orange, white, and multicolored. The in-
dividual flower resembles the flower of a pea, but the
lupin flowers are gathered on the stalk of the flower
spike, so they are seen in a cluster. The beautiful flow-
ers lure bees and butterflies and are a great addition to
the pollinator garden.

Where do they grow?
Native to parts of the Mediterranean and Western U.S.,
lupins generally prefer moist, well-draining, sandy soil,
which may be why they did well in many parts of North
Haven. They should not be in soggy soil but will need
some water each week. There are many varieties, and
some do well in wild meadows, cottage style gardens,
coastal gardens, and even in pots on the patio. They
grow well in full sun, but some varieties will tolerate
partial shade. The types grown in gardens are usually

Lupins in the garden. hybrid crosses of different native species.

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