Lupinus arboreus 'Blue'

#Blue #treelupin 💕 #cataloguing #seedexchange #giftfromjeatacake #sharingiscaring #seeds #seed #ingodwetrust #jennseeds2018

Tree lupins compete seriously with Jack's beanstalk. Given the right conditions, seed sown in early spring will produce a plant up to 6ft tall, and as far across, in its first year. It bears such a wealth of flower that the foliage is almost invisible from early June until September. It is short-lived but since new plants can be raised so easily this is neither here nor there.

Because of its instant stature, this is an ideal plant to fill in gaps in a shrub border or even among slow-going herbaceous plants. The great advantage is that it fixes nitrogen in the soil, making it more rather than less fertile as it gets bigger.

Lupins are easy to grow from seed sown singly into small pots of loam-based seed compost. Young plants need to be potted on frequently – two or three times, or whenever their large, leguminous roots stick out of the pot.

#companionplants Yellow day lilies make a good vertical clump in contrast to the broad, spreading growth of the lupin, with the blue of Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist' or Baptisia australis breaking up the yellow and green. Elsewhere in the garden, the large and spreading bush of a blue lupin sprawls between clumps of Geranium psilostemon with vivid magenta, black-centred flowers against a backdrop of the lovely magenta moss rose 'William Lobb'.

#Stratify #seeds: The best method of propagation is by seed. Plant immediately or stratify. Other info: Cold stratification, mechanical scarification or a hot water soak will enhance the #germination of stored seeds.

#sowindoors - Prior to sowing #soak seeds in hot water for 1-3 days until swelling is noticeable. Sow 5mm deep into moist well-drained seed compost. Ideal temp. 18-20°C. #Germination takes +14 days. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to 8cm pots and grow on. Acclimatise and plant out after danger of frost has passed with 150cm spacing.