Gallery Red

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Fabaceae or Leguminosae

Order

Fabales

Genus

Lupinus

Species

nanus

Description

An ornamental perennial herb with an erect habitus, appreciated for its elongated spike-like inflorescences that rise above the foliage giving decorative importance and power both in flowerbeds and in tubs or planters from late spring to early autumn. Easy to grow, it is moderately hardy and prefers full sun to half shade in light soil free of waterlogging.

Variety description

Plant with a very showy and long-lasting inflorescence in late spring-summer, the plant disappears completely in winter to reappear in late spring suitable for permanent beds

Curiosities and special features

Belonging to the same botanical genus as L. albus, a species used for food purposes and to improve soil fertility by green manure, but distinct from it in terms of its intended use as the nanus species is used to decorate gardens and terraces.

Origin and distribution

Native to North America; today's hybrids spread in the early 1900s through crosses attributed to the horticulturist G. Russell between different species such as L. arboreus, L. perennis and L. polyphyllus , from which the so-called 'Russell Hybrid Lupins' are derived, which are distinguished by their final height and the colour shades of the inflorescences.

Flower size

The flower is individually small, giving elegance and sinuosity to the inflorescence in which it is grouped.

Leaf

The leaves have an elegant palmate lamina.

Flowering period

The showy flowering lasts from late spring to early autumn for 120 to 160 days, providing colour and elegance for a long time.

Inflorescence

Spiky inflorescence that gives the plant high aesthetic value.

Leaf colour

Solid colour.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.7 to 1 m, visually reinforced by the colourful inflorescences.

Lifespan

A herbaceous perennial, during the winter period it sheds its aerial part and then reappears in late spring.

Where to plant

With its dramatic spring-summer blooms, it is ideal for adding a colourful and showy accent to flower beds, outdoor tubs

Stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, small in size, with a funnel-shaped corolla and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in large spike-like inflorescences. It flowers from late spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 120 and 160 days. It has sweet notes and is lightly scented, with a delicate aroma. It is attractive to bees and butterflies.

Growth

Medium to vigorous growing variety.

Plant habit

The upright stance allows for mixed compositions with other ornamentals of high aesthetic importance.

Branching

Medium branching variety with a proportionate ratio of foliage to flowers.

PH

It prefers a slightly acidic soil pH, with optimum values between 6.0 and 6.5.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in early spring, carry out light digging, removing any weeds and bulky stones. If the soil does not drain well, bury sand. Finally, add professional-quality substrate to the surface to a height of approx. 5/10 cm and carefully level out.

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposure in half-shade, full sun, sheltered from intense wind.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 15 and 25 °C, making it suitable for temperate climates. The vital temperature is between 5 and 35 °C

Use

In recent years, it has found significant interest from landscapers, gardeners and green enthusiasts at all levels of experience in:

Outdoor ornamental Outdoor Landscape Design

Hardiness

Variety of medium to high hardiness.

Soil

It prefers light, well-draining soil; if it is too heavy and compact, it is preferable to bury sand during pre-planting; for tubs and planters, use a substrate for spring plants containing peat and perlite.

Difficulty

Easy to grow, it requires an overall low level of management effort, which gives the plant added value.

Growing tips

For optimal vegetative growth, it is recommended to

Always maintain abundant fertilisation to avoid yellowing of the vegetation. It can be planted in sunny or half-shaded beds.

Combinations with other plants

Ideal for compact and colourful ornamental bedding compositions, also associated with flowering plants with different heights in order to create perspective views; colour combinations can include shades of the same hue or an alternation by choosing from the different varieties available, composing designs or patterns according to personal fantasy. It is possible to form patches of colour or simple borders with other species such as Achillea tomentosa, Astilbe chinensis, Canna indica, Delphinium, Phlox paniculata. Even in a smaller space such as tubs or planters it is possible to place it alternately with plants with green or variegated foliage or by juxtaposing, as in a garden, species with flowers in different shades.

Planting

The average recommended density in a flower bed is 8 plants per square metre in order to ensure a balanced development of each individual specimen, thus obtaining a proportionate and formally harmonious composition. We suggest placing each seedling on a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots and avoiding sinking the lump completely, which must be well moist; finally, water immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours, but avoiding water stagnation.

Propagation

By seed or by meristem.

Watering

Use rainwater, alternatively from aqueducts with an optimal pH of sub-acid, either manually or by irrigation. When transplanting, attend more carefully to the seedling which may be exposed to stress at the new planting site, watering regularly but avoiding excessive watering which may cause water stagnation with subsequent root rot. Afterwards, allow the soil or substrate to dry slightly between watering, preventing both stagnation and dryness with subsequent leaf yellowing.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Fertilising

During the spring-summer period, following proper post-transplant settling, regularly apply a balanced fertiliser suitable for ornamental species to the soil or substrate at the foot of the plant, to be distributed liquid, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water. Interventions must be constant to avoid leaf yellowing but free from overuse.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Tip

Avoid planting plants in soil that is too clayey and with possible waterlogging.