Lupinus cruickshankii Sunrise - Annual Lupin Seeds

Lupinus cruckshankii 'Sunrise' is a very attractive annual lupin, that offers an abundance of long-lasting, fragrant blooms. The medium-sized plants produce graceful spikes in soft tones of azure blue, golden yellow and white. Grow close to the house to make the most of their subtle perfume in the evening! It thrives in full sun, in light, sandy, even poor soils, preferably acidic.

The lupin is a genus that encompasses 200 to 1000 species, native to the American continent. They are either annual or perennial, herbaceous or woody-based. Lupins are often grown as a food source throughout the world. This does not apply to ornamental varieties however, as most contain high levels of alkaloids in their seeds and are highly toxic. Lupinus cruckshankii 'Sunrise' grows to about 90 cm tall in full bloom for a spread of 60-70 cm. From May until the first frosts, it displays upright spikes over bluish green foliage; they feature whorls of sweet pea-like blooms in harmonious shades of azure blue, yellow and white. These are followed by pods containing several large seeds that are easy to sow. Lupin roots capture atmospheric nitrogen, transforming it into fertilizing elements that are useful for enriching poor soils, making it a valuable green manure.

Lupins are a cottage garden favourite, bringing a wonderful verticality and structure to the flower garden. Annual lupins are perfect for poor, light, sandy and acidic soils where they will self-sow easily, offering a profusion of fragrant spikes in summer. They thrive in the company of hollyhocks and peonies, forming attractive, maintenance-free flowerbeds. In natural settings, combine them with sainfoin, Sidalcea hartwegii or ornamental grasses. In more formal settings, terraces or patios, pair them with nasturtiums, geraniums, and dwarf dahlias for example.