Photo: George Chernilevsky · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Lupine
The lupine is a vertical spire of pea-shaped florets in an unusually rich colour range — the natural blues and purples rival delphinium at a fraction of the cost. A cottage-garden wedding staple, and the state flower of Texas (Bluebonnet subspecies). Multiple florets open bottom-up over a week.
| Family | Fabaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | North America, Europe; commercially grown Netherlands, UK |
| Peak season | May, June, July |
| Availability | April to August |
| Stem length | 50–100 cm |
| Vase life | 5–10 days |
| Colors | white, cream, pink, coral, red, purple, blue, bicolor |
| Price tier | mid |
Cut on a diagonal, fresh water. Multiple florets open bottom-up over 7-10 days.
- •Tall vertical spires with dozens of pea-shaped florets
- •Rich colour range including natural blue
- •Nitrogen-fixing plant — good for garden ecology
- •Toxic seeds — keep away from children and pets
Bouquet Builder — by Lacy BirdDesign the bouquet. See it as a photo.
Botanical reference
- Common name
- bluebonnet
- Also known as
- lupin, bluebonnet (US), Lopinus, Lupinus lasalensis
- Distribution
- Alabama, Alaska, Albania, Alberta, Aleutian Is., Algeria, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arizona
Open-data sources: GBIF, Wikidata (CC0/CC BY)
Frequently asked questions
When is Lupine in season?
Lupine peaks in May, June, July, and florists can usually source it April to August. Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.
How long does Lupine last in a vase?
Expect 5–10 days with proper conditioning — a clean vase, fresh water every couple of days, flower food, and a cool spot away from ripening fruit and direct heat.
What can I use instead of Lupine?
Good substitutes for Lupine include Delphinium, Snapdragon. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.
What does Lupine symbolise?
Lupine is associated with imagination, voraciousness.
How do you care for cut Lupine?
Tall vertical spires with dozens of pea-shaped florets
Related flowers
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Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — “Lupine”. https://lacybird.com/flowers/lupine/<a href="https://lacybird.com/flowers/lupine/">Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — Lupine</a>