A favorite plant. There is a blue/lavender flower version of Lupinus Arbors called Lupinus propinquus.“Blue Bush Lupine” (Syn. Lupinu...Read Mores arboreus ‘Blue .
I originally gathered the seeds as a child along the CA coast decades ago. You gather in the late summer/fall when the seed pods turn dry and brown.You split open the pods to release the dark seeds.The trick is to soak the seeds overnight before planting. Don't skip that part. After planting the seeds germinate pretty quickly...it takes a season at least to see the plant growing. When in bloom it is spectacular. The foliage itself is handsome, and makes a nice shrub about 3 to four feet tall. My plants seem to get bigger each year I replant the seeds.To keep the plant going you really need to harvest the seed heads after blooming and this way you can have the plant for a couple of years at least. Eventually it may die as its not really a long lived perennial, more of a hardy biennial. Its a beautiful plant.
These are beautiful plants that thrive without additional care. They look magnificent out at the coast, however, 20 miles inland the cate...Read Morerpillars really get them...mine was about 5 feet tall when it finally leafed out from last year's attack but has now been eaten down completely and has absolutely no leaves left.
I'm all for supporting the local butterfly/moth population, problem is I haven't ever seen what those caterpillars are supposedly turning into...
I have one of these growing up in my garden. I didn't plant it (or even know what it was until researching it) and it is literally grow...Read Moreing like a weed. It looks very healthy and is already blooming just a few weeks after sprouting.
Unfortunately it's not in a good location for a perennial, so I might try to transplant it.
San Francisco, CA (Zone 10a) | June 2005 | neutral
Even though this is a CA native plant, it is considered harmful and invasive in coastal environments where it was introduced for erosion ...Read Morecontrol, pushing out the normal species in those habitats. It is a tough plant that seems to thrive on neglect. It needs a lot of sun or will be leggy and need support. From seed it didn't flower for me until it was 2 1/2 years old. Flowers are pleasantly fragrant.
A favorite plant. There is a blue/lavender flower version of Lupinus Arbors called Lupinus propinquus.“Blue Bush Lupine” (Syn. Lupinu...Read More
These are beautiful plants that thrive without additional care. They look magnificent out at the coast, however, 20 miles inland the cate...Read More
I have one of these growing up in my garden. I didn't plant it (or even know what it was until researching it) and it is literally grow...Read More
Even though this is a CA native plant, it is considered harmful and invasive in coastal environments where it was introduced for erosion ...Read More