Lupines - Notes

1/7/2013

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Luscious Lupines

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve
Gardening with Native Plants of Western L.A. County February 7 & 10, 2009
Project SOUND - 2009
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND

The lupines - the genus Lupinus)
Lupines have long been garden favorites
 Also known as Lupins (Europe)
bluebonnets, old maid’s bonnets or
wolfbean
 Two groups:
 Old World lupines, (Mediterranean
regions & E. Africa; 12-13 species
 New World lupines (N. & S. America);
90% of the genus

 Place of original origin???
 ~ 165 species (or possibly more)
worldwide
 82 species in CA;
 14 in western L.A. Co.
In short, we have a wealth of  An additional 6-10 species in nearby
Santa Monica & San Gabriel Mountains
native lupines from our area

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1/7/2013

Lupines: an interesting genus in the Pea Family Flowers are typical of the Pea family (Fabaceae)
 Bloom time: February to July, but
usually in spring – often depends
on timing of rains
 Larger-flowered species usually
pollinated by large bees; small
flowers may be self-fertilizing
(Cleistogamy).
 Flower color: white to various
shades of blue and reddish-purple, Silver Dune Lupine – Lupinus chamissonis
and even a few yellow species http://montana.plant-life.org/families/Fabaceae.htm

 Leaves: palmately compound, with  Five petals are highly modified:
5 to 9+ leaflets. The number of  Large banner petal (often with a white or yellow spot) – attract
leaflets on an individual plant can pollinators
vary.  Two small wing petals
 Two (fused) keel petals – cover the male & female organs
 Pea-like pods with hard seeds

Lupines & pollinators Lupines & pollinators
 Lupine flowers have
 Plant sex typically must be characteristics to specifically
consummated by a third party attract large bees:
(the wind, a hummingbird, or a
bumblebee) that transfers pollen  Purple/blue color
from one blossom to another.  ‘guiding signs’
 Heavy-duty landing pad
 To lure pollinators, plants clad
themselves in colorful (to the  Bumblebee blossoms often have
pollinator – UV-colored flowers some form of physical barrier that
may appear white to us) flowers only the bulky insect can surmount.
with seductive scents.
 In Lupines (and other Peas), the
 While the bee is fertilizing the nectaries, along with the sexual
flower, the plant is returning the organs, are enclosed in the fused
favor, offering nectar, the keel petals.
insect equivalent of soda pop,  When a bumblebee lands on the
and/or life-giving protein in the keel, its weight forces the keel
form of pollen. petals to pop open, exposing the
flower's private parts (and the
 Most lupine flowers offer just a nectar).
bit of nectar, and just for a
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/6/22/20290/0906
short time…  Bumblebees ‘pump out’ the pollen

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1/7/2013

Lupine flowers are ‘color-coded for
Other bumblebee plants  Trees/shrubs
freshness’  The ‘banner spot’ on lupine  California lilac (Ceanothus spp)
flowers helps to guide the  Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis)
bumblebee to the proper landing  Dogwood (Cornus glabrata)
spot; bees can see the
Grape-soda Lupine contrasting colors  Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos
species)
 Lupines only make a small amount  Willows (Salix species)
of nectar for the pollinator. To  Elderberry (Sambucus)
advertise that the flower is un-
pollinated and has nectar, the  Wildflowers (perennials &
banner petal or banner spot is Annuals)
bright white or yellow.  Columbines (Aquilegia species)
 Lupines (Lupinus species)
 After the flower is pollinated,  Milkweeds (Asclepias species)
the banner petal turns reddish-
https://www.hometownstation.com/local-news/scv-outdoor-report-2008-

 Penstemons (Penstemon species)
04-17-13-01-2.html

purple - a cue to pollinators that
no more nectar is being produced  Phacelias (Phacelia species)
by that flower  Buckwheats (Eriogonum species)
 Sages (Salvia species)
This color change all involves a single  Bees (and even we) cannot  Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus &
pigment type – the anthocyanins discriminate well between blue- Encelia)
violet and magenta (bees can’t see  Goldenrods (Solidago & Euthamia
red) species)
http://www.spenceville.org/plant/Wildflowers.htm

.

But bumblebees aren’t the only pollinators Yellow Tree Lupine - Lupinus arboreus

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

CA coast from Ventura north;
Aggressive re-seeder – don’t plant near any native species

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1/7/2013

‘Lupinus propinquus’ – Local form of Lupinus arboreus If you really want a tree lupine, perhaps your should
wait….for ‘L. payneii’
 Shrub 4-8 ft. high from a trunk-
like base, to 8 inches in diameter
 Flowers very fragrant, varying
from white through lilac, lavender,
purple
 Canyons of the Tapo Ranch, Santa
Susana, May, 1918, Theodore Payne
 ‘This plant has been under
observation by Mr. Payne for some
years. It grows on hillsides of a
reddish clay with occasional
outcroppings of gravel. Those with
long lavender blooms are quite like
a Wisteria in appearance and are
The Theodore Payne Foundation altogether the most showy of all
recently discovered some old seeds our southern lupines.’
of ‘L. payneii’
 This plant has been grouped with L.
Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences longifolius – but Theodore Payne
(and others) suggested this was a
separate species
Local endemic in Marin Co, right near shore;

Our local perennial lupines are sub-shrubs Our local shrub lupines are very water-wise
 Moderate sized :  Most are adapted for – and do
2-4 ft tall & wide best in – well-drained soils; some
 Have a woody root/base even thrive in sand

 Most do best – and live longer –
 Branches are succulent,
if given only modest amounts of
at least at their outer summer water (Zone 1-2 or 2)
ends
 A very wet winter (or over-
 Local species: watering) can lead to the demise
 L. longifolius of shrub lupines – in all but the
 L. chamissonis best-drained soils
 L. albifrons
 Most will be somewhat summer
 L. excubitus var. halii
dormant
 L. formosus

Silver Bush Lupine – Lupinus albifrons © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

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1/7/2013

Longleaf Bush Lupine - Lupinus longifolius
Longleaf Bush Lupine - Lupinus longifolius

 Formerly Lupinus chamissonis
var. longifolius
 Southwestern CA from Santa
Barbara to Baja
 Coastal sage scrub, chaparral
and oak woodland
 Formerly frequent in the
foothills and on bluffs along
the seashore in Los Angeles,
Orange & San Diego counties
 Longifolius = long-leaved

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,4023,4099
© 2005 Michael W. Tuma

Garden conditions Dune Lupine – Lupinus chamissonis
 Soils:
 Texture: well-drained is a must (as for
most local bush lupines)
 pH: any local is fine

 Light:
 full sun (coastal) to part shade
 Water:
 Young plants: weekly (as needed) until
established
 Winter: moist soils; monitor & supplement in
very dry years
 Summer:
 Quite drought-tolerant; can get by with no
water in part-shade
 Will take infrequent (1-2 x per month) if
soils are well-drained
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/bushlupine.html

 Fertilizer:
 None needed & use will likely decrease
Lupines don’t like to be moved – lifespan (true for all the bush lupines)
protect their roots
Protect young plants from predation

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1/7/2013

Dune Lupine – Lupinus chamissonis
Dune Lupine
 Immediate CA coast from L.A. Co. to
Marin Co.
 Always found quite near
 chamissonis: after Adelbert von the coast; on dunes,
Chamisso (1781-1838) bluffs, ocean strand
 Born Louis Charles Adélaïde de
Chamissot at the château of Boncourt in http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericinsf/2407184634/in/set-72157604496267203/  Pretty much always on
Champagne, France rather sandy soils
 Became a German botanist who
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,4023,4053 botanized with J.F. Eschscholtz in the  Gets some water from
San Francisco Bay region in 1816 – he ocean fog
named the CA Poppy after Eschscholtz
 During his time in California, Chamisso  Subjected to maritime
studied a number of native plant and conditions: wind, salt-
animal species; his inventory is spray
considered a valuable ecological record
to this day.
http://wiki.zum.de/Adelbert_von_Chamisso  Was also a poet & writer

Lupine leaves – Dune Lupine – flowers
unusual & attractive that seem to glow
 Blooms:
 Early spring; usually Feb-Apr
 Why palmate shape? in S. Bay
 ?? to funnel water to base  Depends on winter rains
of plant?  Flowers:
 Silvery violet, with a hint of
pink; white/yellow spot
 Why often silvery/velvety?
 Relatively large for local lupines
 ?? Protection from insects  Arranged along flowering
 ?? Protection from sunlight branches somewhat above
foliage – not very long
 ?? To collect moisture

 Vegetative reproduction: ??

http://www.flickr.com/photos/93523004@N00/2472655139/

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1/7/2013

Plant Requirements  Soils: Dune Lupine is perfect for
 Texture: very well-drained; sandy
is best
the coastal garden
 pH: any local
 As an attractive accent plant
 Light: full sun; true of most of the in coastal gardens
local lupines except those from
mountain forests  Nice addition to a dry silvery
garden
 Water:
 Winter: needs adequate winter  In a garden featuring coast
rain, but will not tolerate flooding prairie or coastal strand
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

 Summer: best with very little palettes
summer along immediate coast
(but will be drought deciduous);  Try with it’s natural coastal
can give occasional water (Zone 1- partners: Baccharis pilularis,
2) Ericameria ericoides, Artemisia
californica, Croton californicus,
 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils Camissonia cheiranthifolia,
Agrostis pallens
 Other: looks best if pruned back
hard in winter © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://anniesannuals.com/plants/plant_display.asp?prodid=1985&account=none

Silver Bush Lupine – Lupinus albifrons Silvery Dune Lupine makes a
nice mid-size shrub
 Nice as a smaller foundation
plant
 Floral fragrance – plant where
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2673277265_678df36ea6.jpg
you can enjoy
 Looks great with either yellow
or pink-flowering native
plants
 Quite hardy – fine for parking
strips, roadways
 Nice addition to rock garden
 Wonderful for the ‘evening
garden’ with its silvery foliage
http://www.goingnativegardentour.org/pressroom/LupinusAlbifrons.jpg
http://norenes5percent.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_archive.html

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1/7/2013

Grape Soda Lupine – Lupinus excubitus var. hallii Grape Soda Lupine – Lupinus excubitus var. hallii
 Fairly limited range: Catalina
Island, Palos Verdes, Santa Monica
Mtns, San Gabriels and into Baja
 Harvey Monroe Hall (1874-1932)
 Author (1902) of A Botanical
Survey of San Jacinto Mountain
 A collector of plants in the Mt.
Pinos region in 1905 and on Santa
Cruz Island in 1908.
 Wrote a Flora of Yosemite (1912)
 In charge of the University of
California Herbarium at Berkeley
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,4023,4065,4068 (1902- ).
 After a trip to Europe in 1929 to
study natural reserves, he
proposed the creation of "Natural
Areas," and specifically the White
Mountains and Harvey Monroe Hall
research areas near Yosemite
National Park
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/lupinus-excubitus


Grape Soda Lupine: sometimes silvery
Grape Soda Lupine in local foothills
 Size: a bit smaller than other
local bush lupines
 Gravelly and sandy  2-3 ft tall
2-3 ft wide
places 

 Growth form:
 Chaparral &  Typical sub-shrub local lupine
Sagebrush scrub  Mounded to slightly sprawling
to 4500’ http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/lupinus-excubitus
 Foliage:
 Often on banks &  Mostly quite low/basal
hillsides  Evergreen; silvery green, with
velvety hairs
http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/socal/lupinex2.htm
 Quite attractive

 Roots: like all lupines, has a taproot
that resents disturbance


8

1/7/2013

Local lupines – not always Grape Soda Lupine has lovely flowers
so silvery
 Blooms:
 Silvery plants are  Mid/late spring at higher
elevations
often larger and  Probably Mar-May in
greener with more western L.A. Co.
water & shade
 Flowers:
 Similar in color & size to
Dune Lupine
 Range from silvery violet to
light magenta-violet
 Scented – reminiscent of
grape soda
 Attract bees, butterflies,
even moths & humans!
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/lupinus-excubitus

http://www.coestatepark.com/lupinus_albifrons_gp.htm http://www.csuchico.edu/bccer/Ecosystem/FloraFauna/pics/Flora/Lupinus_albifrons.JPG

Lupines are Collecting lupine seeds – several approaches
master catapultists
 In general, Mother Nature likes to  The nylon stocking
spread genes around – locate
genetically similar offspring away technique
from parent plant  The paper bag technique
 This also keeps the new plants from
competing for light, water &
nutrients with the parent plant
 Lupines literally ‘fling’ their dried
seeds away from the parent plant:
 Drying pods under mechanical
stress
 When they reach a certain dryness
they fail - dramatically

 The large seeds are then further
carried by water or by small animals
that may cache them http://www.library.uiuc.edu/vex/toxic/lupine/lupine.htm

http://www.kidsgardening.com/growingideas/PROJECTS/aug04/pg1.html

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1/7/2013

Use Grape Soda Lupine in the scented garden What if I have a shady yard?

 Great as an accent
plant; foliage, flower &
scented accent
 Does well on hills,
slopes, other ‘difficult’
areas
 Great habitat plant;
bees, blue butterflies,
seed-eating ground
birds like doves
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/hallsbushlupine.html
http://www.downeasthost.com/vacationrental/lupine.jpg

Lupines from the local mountains and * Broad-leaf Lupine – Lupinus latifolius
from the North can take more water

 Native habitat: often more
shady
 Annual precipitation: for some,
more like garden conditions
 Examples (from local
mountains):
 Broad-leaf Lupine – Lupinus latifolius
 Burke’s (Meadow/ Big-leaf) Lupine
Lupinus polyphyllus var. burkei
 Sickle-keeled Lupine - Lupinus
albicaulis


10

1/7/2013

 parishii: after brothers Samuel Bonsall Parish (1838-
* Broad-leaf Lupine – Lupinus latifolius ssp. parishii
1928) and William Fletcher Parish (1840-1918), both
botanical collectors who lived on a ranch in San
Bernardino, California
 Made extensive exploring trips through the mountains
and deserts.
 Foothills of the
Sierras, Coastal and  Samuel was the more devoted of the two and
corresponded with and was on very familiar terms with
Transverse Ranges many of the leading botanists of his day.
 Locally: Santa Monica,  William served in the Civil War as a sergeant and later
sergeant-major. He is registered at San Bernardino up
Simi Valley, Santa to 1890, and at Long Beach in 1892. By 1906 he was living
ssp. latifolius Monica Mtns, San at Redondo, and later in Hermosa Beach."
Gabriels
 Moist places in woods,
shady to open areas,
many plant
communities below
7500' In Santa Monica
Mtns
ssp. parishii

http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/lupinel.htm

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,4023,4083,4088 © 2004 Charles E. Jones

Flowers are quite showy Broadleaf Lupine may fill your garden needs
 Blooms:  Soils:
 Apr-July in local foothills  Texture: well-drained, though
 Probably Mar-May at lower less picky than local natives
elevations  pH: any local

 Flowers:  Light: full sun to light shade –
 fragrant pinkish blue flowers light shade preferable in hot
gardens
 2-3 foot long spikes
 Ssp. parishii particularly  Water:
showy!  Winter: good winter water
 Summer: can take regular
 Vegetative reproduction: water (Zone 2 or 2-3); ssp.
 deep, lateral root system parishii can take drier
 can spread vegetatively from conditions
root sprouts, even from
pieces of root  Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

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1/7/2013

Burke’s (Meadow/ Big-leaf) Lupine
Lupinus polyphyllus var. burkei Sickle-keeled Lupine - Lupinus albicaulis

Wet places in the mountains from San Gabriels, Sierras north From N. CA Coast Range and Sierra foothills

Managing our local shrubby lupines Annual lupines add some magic to the garden
 Protect young plants from snails
& slugs
 Keep area around the plants
weed-free
 Don’t mulch right up to the
woody base – prevent root
fungal disease
 Be very vigilant in removing
these caterpillars
http://gardendjinn.typepad.com/garden/2008/03/index.html

 Remove old flower heads and
woody foliage for neatness & to Coastal Palette combination
renew
 Cut back to the base in late fall
to winter.
http://www.wallno1.com/r-flowers-14-lupine-and-poppies-tehachapi-mountains-california-29867.htm

Interior Palette combination


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1/7/2013

Growing native annual lupines Some of the best small lupines are native to S. CA
is quite easy
 Soils:
 Texture: usually any; often do best in well-
drained soils
 Usually any local pH

 Light:
 full sun (best) to bright shade
© 2001 Steven Thorsted
 Need bare soil (light) to germinate and grow
 Often fire-followers; or managed by Native
Californians

 Water:
 Adequate winter/spring water
 Best with no water after flowering

 Fertilizer: none needed; a little probably
won’t hurt
© Project SOUND © Lee Dittmann © Project SOUND
http://www.gardengates.info/The%20Local%20Wildflower%20 http://flickr.com/photos/repetti/59953037/in/set-1295791/
Page.htm

Miniature Lupine – Lupinus bicolor Bajada Lupine – Lupinus concinnus ssp. concinnus

http://picasaweb.google.com/greenonfire/SWOregonFlora#5189166267831777570
© Project SOUND Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database © Project SOUND

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1/7/2013

Bajada Lupine – Lupinus concinnus ssp. concinnus Bajada Lupine – a petite charmer

 A lupine of SW U.S. and  Size:
adjoining regions of
Mexico  < 1 ft tall
 At least two sub-  1-2 ft wide
populations - one desert;  Growth form:
?? Are they really
subspecies  Herbaceous annual
 Open sandy areas to Patrick J. Alexander @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database  Upright or sprawling
5000‘
 Foliage:
 Grasslands/prairie
 Very hairy; velvety texture –
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,4023,4057

 Both CA deserts
appears silvery
 Common in disturbed
areas, burns  Typical palmate leaves; quite
basal, often low to ground
 concinnus: neat, well-
made, elegant  Looks like a desert plant

http://seinet.asu.edu/images/maps/seinet/swdots/Lupinus_concinnus.jpg Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Flowers are also petite * Valley Lupine - Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus
(Lupinus subvexus var. subvexus)
 Blooms:
 Early spring; usually Mar.-
Apr. in western L.A. Co.

 Flowers:
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
 Color: red-purple to light
pink
 Small - ~ ¼ inch
 Spread on low flowering
stalks – may be only as tall
as the leaves.

 Don’t water after flowering
ceases – important for
proper seed development
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

© 2003 Christopher L. Christie Patrick J. Alexander @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
© Project SOUND
Antelope Valley; W. San Gabriels © Project SOUND

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1/7/2013

 Lupines come in a select
The colors of lupine palette: white, pink, red, blues
* Yellow Chick Lupine - Lupinus densiflorus var. aureus
of many hues, yellow, apricot. (Lupinus microcarpus var. densiflorus)
 Many have bicolored flowers,
usually including white or
yellow contrasting with another
color.
 Why/how these colors?
 The pigments:
 Anthocyanins : appear blue/pink;
change from blue to pink w/
increasing pH (alkalinity)
 Carotenoids:
 Appear yellow/orange
 In Lupines, only seen if
anthocyanins are lacking

 How coloration evolved: co-
evolution with pollinators
 Large bees attracted by blue- http://www.larnerseeds.com/_pages/wildflower_annual.html
purple flowers
 Hummingbirds attracted by Antelope Valley; San Gabriels; Liebre Mtns
http://www.visionsofheaven.com/AAngels/newsletter_art/lupine.jpg
red/red-violet/ orange
http://www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu/ezidweb/shoreplants/Lupinusarboreus.htm

Mid-size annual lupines look great massed Why include annual Lupines
in your garden?
 Attractive & unique foliage

 Showy, decorative flowers; many
shades of white, blue, lavender,
magenta

 Great habitat plants:
© 2006 Chris Wagner, SBNF

 Nectar: butterflies, native bees &
even hummingbirds
 Foliage: Blue Butterfly larval food
 Seeds: ground-eaters like doves,
quail
 Improve soil nutrients (N)

 Many are quite easy to grow once
you get the seeds to germinate
http://www.resimsite.com/img155.htm
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/11104501 © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LUHI3

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