{"title":"Lupins","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUK Grown, Hardy Lupin Varieties\u003c\/strong\u003e Delivered Direct from Our Nursery. Order Lupin Plants Now\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"west-country-red-rum-lupin","title":"West Country Red Rum Lupin","description":"\u003cul class=\"pdp-specs\"\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Red Rum\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLatin name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lupinus polyphyllus 'Red Rum'\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy herbaceous perennial\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clear red with a fleck of white\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–90cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 65–75cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late May to August (with deadheading)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScent:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lightly fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully hardy (H5)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Westcountry. Bred in Devon. PBR protected\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSold as:\u003c\/strong\u003e P9 and 2-litre pot-grown plants, grown on by us\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant outdoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring or autumn\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivered:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring and autumn. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/collect-from-castle-cary\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCollection from Castle Cary\u003c\/a\u003e also available\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- IMAGE: red-rum-lupin-flower.jpg — alt=\"Lupinus Red Rum Westcountry series clear red flower spike\" --\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWest Country Red Rum Lupin – Clear Red Spires\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRed Rum is the red lupin done properly. Not salmon-pink-pretending-to-be-red, not brick-red-fading-to-muddy-orange, but a clear, honest, pillar-box red with just a fleck of white at the keel of each flower to stop it looking flat. It's one of the strongest colours in the Westcountry series and one of the earliest to flower, typically opening in late May when the border still has spring bulb gaps to fill.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe spikes reach 75–90cm on thick, self-supporting stems that don't need staking. The Westcountry series was bred specifically for garden performance: compact habit, strong stems, colours that hold rather than fade — and Red Rum shows that breeding at its best. Plant a group of three and you have a red exclamation mark in the border that's visible from the end of the garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrom Devon, via Tissue Culture\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Westcountry lupins were bred by Sarah Conibear at Donkey Meadow in North Devon. She started selecting lupins in 1996, inspired by a Channel 4 programme, and built up what is now the only National Collection of Lupins in the UK. The nursery has won four gold medals at Chelsea for their lupin displays. Red Rum was among the early releases in the range and remains one of the most popular. A clear single colour is harder to breed than a bicolour, and the clean red was a genuine achievement. All Westcountry lupins are tissue-cultured: each plant is a genetic clone of the original, which means you get exactly the colour you ordered rather than the seedling lottery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting Partners\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRed and purple is a classic combination. Plant Red Rum with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/masterpiece-lupin\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMasterpiece\u003c\/a\u003e (deep wine-purple) and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/manhattan-lights-lupin\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eManhattan Lights\u003c\/a\u003e (purple and yellow) for a three-colour lupin display that flowers in succession from late May. For something beyond lupins, the red spikes pair well with the blue globes of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ornamental-onion-allium-bulbs\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ealliums\u003c\/a\u003e in early summer. Later in the season, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/dahlia-tubers\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003edahlias\u003c\/a\u003e — particularly warm oranges and dark reds — pick up the colour theme from July onwards, giving you a red thread running from spring bulbs through lupins to autumn dahlias.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Ashridge for Lupins?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe buy Red Rum as licensed young plants and grow them on in Castle Cary, in peat-free compost with biological controls. By the time they reach you, they're established plants in P9 or 2-litre pots, not plugs that need weeks of cosseting. We guarantee every plant and the team that grows them is the team that helps if anything goes wrong. Browse our full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/perennial-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eperennial range\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDo lupins fix nitrogen?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Like all legumes, lupins form a symbiosis with soil bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen into a form the plant can use. This means they thrive in poor soil and actually improve it for neighbouring plants. Don't add nitrogen-rich fertiliser — it's counterproductive and pushes the plant into leaf growth at the expense of flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAre Westcountry lupins hardy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery. They're rated H5, meaning they'll survive temperatures down to -15°C. The top growth dies back completely in winter and fresh shoots emerge from the crown each spring. The only real threat is waterlogged soil through winter, which can rot the crown. Good drainage matters more than temperature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I use lupins as cut flowers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can, though they don't last as long in a vase as dahlias or sweet peas — expect three to five days. Cut when the lower flowers on the spike are open but the top is still in bud. Stand the stems in water immediately and keep the vase topped up, as lupins are thirsty. The scent is subtle but pleasant, and a handful of lupin spikes in a tall jug makes a real statement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen should I plant lupins?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpring (March to May) or autumn (September to October). Spring planting gives them a full growing season to establish before winter. Autumn planting works well in milder areas and gives the roots a head start, but protect new plants from slugs over winter. Avoid planting in summer heat or mid-winter waterlogging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the difference between Westcountry lupins and Russell lupins?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRussell hybrids were the breakthrough in lupin breeding — George Russell spent 25 years crossing them from the 1910s onwards and they transformed the range of colours available. But Russell lupins are seed-raised, so each plant is genetically different and colours are variable. The Westcountry series, developed from the 1990s by Sarah Conibear, are tissue-cultured clones: every plant in a named variety is identical. The Westcountry varieties also tend to have sturdier stems and more compact habit than seed-raised Russells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Ashridge","offers":[{"title":"Potted \/ 2 Litre","offer_id":56189797564742,"sku":"PERELUPREDRUM-2L","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0947\/0351\/8022\/files\/red-rum-single-lupin-flower.webp?v=1773665649"},{"product_id":"polar-princess-lupin","title":"Polar Princess Lupin","description":"\u003cul class=\"pdp-specs\"\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Polar Princess\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLatin name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lupinus polyphyllus 'Polar Princess'\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy herbaceous perennial\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pure white\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–90cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 65–75cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e June to August (with deadheading)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScent:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lightly fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully hardy (H5)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Westcountry. Bred in Devon. PBR protected\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSold as:\u003c\/strong\u003e P9 and 2-litre pot-grown plants, grown on by us\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant outdoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring or autumn\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivered:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring and autumn. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/collect-from-castle-cary\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCollection from Castle Cary\u003c\/a\u003e also available\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- IMAGE: polar-princess-lupin-flower.jpg — alt=\"Lupinus Polar Princess pure white flower spikes\" --\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePolar Princess Lupin – Pure White, Densely Packed\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhite lupins are harder to get right than they sound. Seed-grown whites tend to muddy: a bit of cream here, a tinge of lilac there. and after a year or two the seedlings revert to blue. Polar Princess doesn't have that problem. It's tissue-cultured from Sarah Conibear's original selection at Westcountry Nurseries in Devon, so every plant is genetically identical and the flowers are clean, pure white from first spike to last. Gertrude Jekyll was particularly fond of white lupins for the way they light up a border, and she'd have approved of this one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe spikes are densely packed with flowers and reach 75–90cm. Polar Princess is one of the later varieties in the Westcountry series, typically opening in July when \u003ca href=\"\/products\/masterpiece-lupin\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMasterpiece\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/west-country-red-rum-lupin\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRed Rum\u003c\/a\u003e are already fading. That makes it useful for extending a lupin display into midsummer. Sturdy stems, self-supporting, no staking needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhite in the Border\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA white lupin is the plant that makes all the other colours around it look better. It separates strong colours that might otherwise clash, brightens a shady corner, and catches the light in the evening when warmer colours have already disappeared into the dusk. Plant it between bold neighbours — the deep purple of Masterpiece on one side, the red of Red Rum on the other — and the white gives each colour room to breathe. It also works beautifully in a single-colour white garden, where the strong vertical form of the lupin spike contrasts with the rounder shapes of white roses and Shasta daisies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to Plant with Polar Princess\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe purple-and-white combination of Polar Princess with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/masterpiece-lupin\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMasterpiece\u003c\/a\u003e is the simplest way to make a lupin border look designed rather than dotted. For a longer season, plant with \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/salvia-plants-ornamental-sage\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003esalvias\u003c\/a\u003e — Hot Lips in red and white echoes the clean colour theme and keeps flowering long after the lupins have finished. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/cosmos-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCosmos\u003c\/a\u003e 'Purity' behind gives you another white vertical later in summer, keeping the scheme going into September. At ground level, silver foliage (lamb's ears, artemisia) underlines the cool palette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Ashridge?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe grow Polar Princess from licensed stock in peat-free compost with biological controls. Every plant is established and ready to go straight into the border, not a liner that needs nursing. If it doesn't perform, we'll replace it. The same people who grow your plants are the ones who answer your calls. See the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/perennial-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eperennial collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDo lupins need full sun?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey do best in full sun, and the flower spikes will actually follow the sun's movement across the sky on a bright day. Partial shade is tolerated, but the plants produce fewer spikes and the stems may lean towards the light. A south-facing or west-facing border gives the best results. Avoid heavy shade entirely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long do lupins live?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree to five years is typical. Lupins aren't the longest-lived perennials, but they're vigorous growers and give you a generous display in their prime years. After three or four seasons the crown can become woody and the flower production declines. At that point, replace with fresh plants rather than trying to rejuvenate old clumps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill seedlings from Polar Princess be white?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlmost certainly not. Lupin seedlings don't come true to the parent and typically revert to blue or purple. This is one reason the Westcountry varieties are tissue-cultured — it's the only way to guarantee the colour. If you spot self-sown seedlings around your plant, the flowers will be a lucky dip. They may be attractive, but they won't be Polar Princess. And since these varieties are PBR-protected, propagation without a licence isn't permitted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I divide lupins?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLupins don't divide well. They have a deep taproot rather than a fibrous root system, so splitting the crown usually damages both halves. If you need more plants, basal cuttings taken in spring (when new shoots are about 10cm long) have a better success rate than division — but note that Westcountry varieties are PBR-protected and shouldn't be propagated without a licence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDo slugs eat lupins?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, enthusiastically. Young growth in spring is particularly vulnerable. A ring of grit or copper tape around the base helps, and evening patrols with a torch in damp weather will catch the worst offenders. Nematode biological controls work well too. Once the plants are established and growing strongly the slug damage is less significant, but the first few weeks after new growth emerges are the danger period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Ashridge","offers":[{"title":"Potted \/ 2 Litre","offer_id":56203367711046,"sku":"PERELUPIPOLPRI-2L","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0947\/0351\/8022\/files\/polar-princess-lupins.webp?v=1773745586"},{"product_id":"masterpiece-lupin","title":"Masterpiece Lupin","description":"\u003cul class=\"pdp-specs\"\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Masterpiece\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLatin name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lupinus polyphyllus 'Masterpiece'\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy herbaceous perennial\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intense wine-purple with an orange fleck at the base\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–100cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 65–75cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late May to August (with deadheading)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScent:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lightly fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully hardy (H5)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Westcountry. Bred in Devon. PBR protected\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSold as:\u003c\/strong\u003e P9 and 2-litre pot-grown plants, grown on by us\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant outdoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring or autumn\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivered:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring and autumn. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/collect-from-castle-cary\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCollection from Castle Cary\u003c\/a\u003e also available\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- IMAGE: masterpiece-lupin-flower.jpg — alt=\"Lupinus Masterpiece deep wine-purple flower spike with orange fleck\" --\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eMasterpiece Lupin – Chelsea Purple\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMasterpiece is the lupin that keeps turning up at Chelsea. Chris Beardshaw has used it in his show gardens, it's appeared behind BBC presenters on live coverage, and it won gold as part of the Westcountry Nurseries display four times. None of that would matter if it didn't perform in an ordinary garden, but it does. The spikes are an intense wine-purple, almost plum, with a tiny flash of orange at the base of each petal that you only notice close up. From a distance, the effect is a solid column of deep purple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt's one of the earliest lupins to flower, often starting in late May when most perennials are still thinking about it. That early start gives it a useful role in the border. It fills the gap between late spring bulbs and the main summer show. The plant is sturdy and self-supporting, reaching up to a metre in good soil. Deadhead the spent spikes promptly and you'll usually get a smaller second flush in July or August.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFirst to Flower\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the Westcountry series, Masterpiece is consistently one of the first to open, alongside Red Rum. Sarah Conibear at Westcountry Nurseries (who bred the entire range in North Devon) notes this as a deliberate selection trait. An early lupin extends the overall display when you plant several varieties together: Masterpiece and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/west-country-red-rum-lupin\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRed Rum\u003c\/a\u003e open first, followed by \u003ca href=\"\/products\/manhattan-lights-lupin\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eManhattan Lights\u003c\/a\u003e, with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/polar-princess-lupin\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePolar Princess\u003c\/a\u003e last. That gives you a staggered display from late May through July without planting anything else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting Companions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDeep purple wants contrast. Polar Princess in pure white makes the strongest pairing: plant them in alternating drifts of three and the border looks like it was designed by someone who knows what they're doing. For a warmer scheme, the burnt-orange of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/dahlia-tubers\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003edahlias\u003c\/a\u003e picks up that tiny orange fleck in Masterpiece's petals; the dahlias take over as the lupins finish. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lavender-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eLavender\u003c\/a\u003e at the front extends the purple theme into late summer, and catmint (Nepeta) does the same job more informally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy buy from Ashridge?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMasterpiece is PBR-protected, which means it can only be propagated under licence. We buy in young plants from licensed growers and grow them on in peat-free compost with biological pest controls. No neonicotinoids. By the time a plant reaches you, it's established and ready to go into the ground. Every plant carries our guarantee, and if anything goes wrong the team in Castle Cary will sort it out. Browse the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/perennial-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eperennial range\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen do Masterpiece lupins flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLate May to June for the main flush, which is earlier than most lupins. If you deadhead the spent spikes promptly, cutting the stem to just above the foliage, you'll often get a smaller second flush in July or August. The total display period can be two months or more in a good year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDo Masterpiece lupins need staking?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The Westcountry series was bred for garden performance, not the show bench, so the stems are thick and self-supporting. Even after heavy rain the spikes stay upright. If your soil is very rich and the growth is particularly lush, the odd stem might lean, but it won't collapse the way old Russell hybrids used to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow Masterpiece lupins from seed?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou shouldn't. Masterpiece is PBR-protected and propagating it, including from seed, is illegal without a licence. Even if it weren't, lupin seedlings almost never come true to the parent. You'd get a random mix of colours, mostly reverting to blue or purple without the distinctive wine tone or the orange fleck. The whole point of tissue-cultured plants is that every one is identical to the original selection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I deadhead lupins?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCut the spent flower spike back to just above the first set of leaves below the spike. Don't cut the whole plant to the ground. The foliage is still feeding the roots. A clean, angled cut is best. The plant will usually send up smaller secondary spikes from lower down the stem, extending the display by several weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy isn't my Masterpiece lupin flowering?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe usual cause is too much shade. Lupins need full sun to flower freely. In partial shade they produce plenty of handsome foliage but few spikes. The second most common cause is overly rich soil: lupins fix their own nitrogen, so additional feeding (especially high-nitrogen fertiliser) encourages leaf growth at the expense of flowers. Poor drainage and waterlogged roots can also suppress flowering. Move it to a sunnier, leaner spot and it should perform next year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Ashridge","offers":[{"title":"Potted \/ 2 Litre","offer_id":56203453235526,"sku":"PERELUPIMAST-2L","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0947\/0351\/8022\/files\/close-up-of-masterpiece-lupin-flowers-pink-and-purple.webp?v=1773746626"},{"product_id":"manhattan-lights-lupin","title":"Manhattan Lights Lupin","description":"\u003cul class=\"pdp-specs\"\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Manhattan Lights\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLatin name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lupinus polyphyllus 'Manhattan Lights'\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy herbaceous perennial\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower:\u003c\/strong\u003e Imperial purple and soft yellow bicolour\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–90cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 65–75cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e June to August (with deadheading)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScent:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lightly fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully hardy (H5)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Westcountry. Bred in Devon. PBR protected\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSold as:\u003c\/strong\u003e P9 and 2-litre pot-grown plants, grown on by us\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant outdoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring or autumn\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivered:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring and autumn. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/collect-from-castle-cary\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCollection from Castle Cary\u003c\/a\u003e also available\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- IMAGE: manhattan-lights-lupin-flower.jpg — alt=\"Lupinus Manhattan Lights showing purple and yellow bicolour flower spike\" --\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eManhattan Lights Lupin – Purple and Gold Spires\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eManhattan Lights is the lupin for gardeners who want something that looks exotic without any of the associated drama. The flower spikes are bicolour: imperial purple at the tips (the part lupin growers call the balloon) with soft yellow at the base of each petal. The two colours meet without blending, so you get a clean, graphic stripe effect running up the full length of the spike. It's one of those plants that people stop and ask about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe spikes reach 75–90cm on sturdy stems that don't need staking. That's one of the real advantages of the Westcountry series. They were bred for garden performance, not the show bench, and the habit is self-supporting and compact. Plant a group of three or five and the effect in June is worth the border space for the rest of the year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Westcountry Breeding Programme\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eManhattan Lights is part of the Westcountry series bred by Sarah Conibear at Westcountry Nurseries in North Devon. She started selecting lupins in 1996 after watching a Channel 4 programme about them and hasn't stopped since. The nursery holds the National Collection of Lupins, the only one in the UK, and has won four Chelsea gold medals for their lupin displays. These aren't Russell hybrids crossed from seed. Every Westcountry lupin is tissue-cultured, which means each plant is genetically identical to the original selection. You get exactly the colour on the label, not a seedling approximation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBorder Partners for Manhattan Lights\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe purple-and-yellow colour scheme is strong enough to anchor a planting on its own, but it combines well with other members of the Westcountry range. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/polar-princess-lupin\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePolar Princess\u003c\/a\u003e in pure white provides breathing space between the bolder colours, while \u003ca href=\"\/products\/west-country-red-rum-lupin\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRed Rum\u003c\/a\u003e adds warm red for a traffic-stopping display. For a June succession, plant with \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ornamental-onion-allium-bulbs\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ealliums\u003c\/a\u003e. The purple drumsticks of Allium hollandicum weave through the lupin spires at the same height. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/lavender-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eLavender\u003c\/a\u003e at the border edge picks up the purple theme and carries it through July and August after the lupins have finished their main flush.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Ashridge?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe buy Manhattan Lights as licensed young plants and grow them on in peat-free compost using biological pest controls. The plants we send you are established and ready to perform, not liners fresh from a lab. And every plant is guaranteed. The same team that grows your lupins packs your order and answers your questions. See our full range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/perennial-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eperennial plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDo lupins come back every year?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Lupins are fully hardy herbaceous perennials. The top growth dies back completely in winter and new shoots emerge from the crown each spring. They're short-lived compared to some perennials: expect three to five good years — but in that time they'll get bigger and produce more spikes each season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow Manhattan Lights lupin in a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can, in a large pot (at least 30cm deep) with free-draining compost. Lupins have deep taproots and don't enjoy sitting in wet compost, so mix in extra grit and raise the pot on feet through winter. Feed fortnightly during the growing season. They won't live as long in a pot as they would in the ground, but you'll get two or three good years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat soil do lupins need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWell-drained and neutral to slightly acidic. Lupins don't like lime and they don't like sitting in water. Sandy or loamy soils are ideal. On heavy clay, improve drainage by adding grit and organic matter, or grow in a raised bed. They fix their own nitrogen, so they don't need rich soil. Too much fertility gives you foliage at the expense of flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow tall does Manhattan Lights grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flower spikes reach 75–90cm depending on soil and conditions. The foliage mound beneath is about 50cm. Unlike some older lupin varieties, the Westcountry series was selected for sturdy stems that don't need staking. Even after rain the spikes stay upright.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAre lupins poisonous?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, all parts of ornamental garden lupins are toxic if eaten, particularly the seeds. Keep them away from children and pets. Don't confuse these with agricultural sweet lupins (\u003cem\u003eLupinus albus\u003c\/em\u003e), whose seeds have been eaten since Roman times. Ornamental hybrids haven't been bred for edibility and should never be consumed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Ashridge","offers":[{"title":"Potted \/ 2 Litre","offer_id":56203524538694,"sku":"PERELUPIMANLIG-2L","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0947\/0351\/8022\/files\/close-up-of-manhattan-lights-lupin-flower.webp?v=1773746886"},{"product_id":"lupin-gallery-red-plants","title":"Lupinus Gallery Red","description":"\u003cul class=\"pdp-specs\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gallery Red\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLatin name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lupinus polyphyllus 'Gallery Red' (Gallery Series)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Herbaceous perennial\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower:\u003c\/strong\u003e Red\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50cm (20in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40cm (16in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e May–June, and again if deadheaded\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully Hardy (H7)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deadhead promptly for a second flush; cut back in autumn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRHS AGM:\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSold as:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pot-grown plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant outdoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring, in well-drained neutral to acid soil in full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivered:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring and summer. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/collect-your-order-from-castle-cary\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCollection from Castle Cary\u003c\/a\u003e also available.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLupinus 'Gallery Red' is a dwarf lupin reaching 50cm with upright red flower spikes in May and June. Compact enough for pots and smaller gardens where the taller West Country lupins would be out of scale, and reliably floriferous from the first growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGallery Red – A Lupin That Knows Its Place\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe West Country lupins are magnificent — tall, magnificently coloured, perennial in the proper sense — but they want space. At 90cm they command the back of a traditional border and will not be contained elsewhere without looking wrong. Gallery Red was developed specifically for gardeners who want the lupin look without the lupin scale. At 50cm it is essentially half the height: it works at the front or middle of a border, it fits in a generous container, and it does not require the kind of garden room that the West Country series demands. The red is a good, solid red — not orange-red or rose-red but a proper primary red, not subtle, and confident about it. The spires are upright, densely packed with flowers in the characteristic lupin formation, and they appear in May and June when the cottage garden border is at its most productive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDeadhead promptly — do not wait until the spike has completely faded. Cut the whole spike back to a side shoot as soon as the first flowers drop, feed with a liquid fertiliser, and you will generally get a second, slightly smaller flush. Lupins are short-lived in most gardens — three to five years is realistic — but Gallery Red self-seeds willingly. Be aware that the seeds are toxic if eaten, especially for children and pets. And slugs find the emerging shoots in spring irresistible: protect them with whatever control you favour from March until the leaves have hardened off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCompanions for Gallery Red\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRed lupins are at their most effective against blue, purple, and silver. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lupin-gallery-white-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGallery White\u003c\/a\u003e alongside creates the classic red-and-white combination in a matched dwarf scale. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/centaurea-montana-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCentaurea montana\u003c\/a\u003e in blue flowers at the same time in May and June and its compact scale at 50cm matches Gallery Red perfectly — one of the most reliable blue-and-red combinations for the front of a cottage border. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/delphinium-black-knight-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDelphinium Black Knight\u003c\/a\u003e behind in deep violet repeats the vertical spike form at greater height. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/caradonna-salvia-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCaradonna salvia\u003c\/a\u003e in violet-purple begins flowering just as lupins finish and carries the spire form on through summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Ashridge?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe use peat-free compost and biological pest controls. Gallery Red is a compact, reliable lupin for gardens where the taller West Country types are too large — we're pleased to be stocking both sizes so you can choose according to what your garden needs. Every plant is guaranteed. See the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/perennial-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eperennial collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAre lupins poisonous?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — lupin seeds, pods, and leaves contain quinolizidine alkaloids that are toxic if eaten, particularly in quantity. Garden lupins have higher alkaloid content than the edible lupini beans of Mediterranean cuisine. Keep children and pets away from the seeds and pods. Handling the plant does not cause harm, but wash hands before eating after gardening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the difference between Gallery and West Country lupins?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight and longevity primarily. Gallery lupins (including Gallery Red) reach about 50cm and are seed-raised, making them compact and affordable for first-season impact. West Country lupins are vegetatively propagated named varieties at 90cm, longer-lived, and available in more complex colour combinations. Gallery suits front-of-border and pots; West Country suits the traditional back border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDo lupins do well in clay soil?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot well, generally. Lupins prefer free-draining, neutral to acid soil. Heavy clay that retains moisture through winter leads to crown rot and short-lived plants. If your soil is clay, plant on a slight mound with added horticultural grit, or grow Gallery Red in a container with good drainage. Sandy, chalky, and alkaline soils are also problematic — lime-rich soils cause yellowing and poor performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I protect lupins from slugs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe emerging shoots in March and April are the most vulnerable period — slugs find young lupin growth particularly palatable. Use copper tape around the crown, nematodes, organic iron phosphate pellets, or a torchlit evening patrol. Once the stems have hardened and reached 20cm or so, slug damage becomes less critical. Lupin aphid is the other main pest: a large greyish aphid that colonises flower stems — spray with a soft soap solution or simply rub off with your fingers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow Gallery Red lupin in a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — this is one of the few lupins where pot culture is genuinely practical. Use a pot at least 30cm in diameter and 30cm deep (lupins have a taproot), with well-drained compost and no added lime. Position in full sun, water consistently through the growing season, and feed with a low-nitrogen fertiliser from February. The taproot means lupins do not enjoy being repotted, so start in the final container.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ashridge Nurseries","offers":[{"title":"Potted \/ P9","offer_id":56371958907206,"sku":"PERELUPPOLGARE-P9","price":7.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0947\/0351\/8022\/files\/close-up-of-red-lupin-flower-gallery-red.webp?v=1776340517"},{"product_id":"lupin-gallery-white-plants","title":"Lupinus Gallery White","description":"\u003cul class=\"pdp-specs\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gallery White\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLatin name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lupinus polyphyllus 'Gallery White' (Gallery Series)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Herbaceous perennial\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower:\u003c\/strong\u003e White\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50cm (20in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40cm (16in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e May–June, and again if deadheaded\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully Hardy (H7)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deadhead promptly for a second flush; cut back in autumn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRHS AGM:\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSold as:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pot-grown plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant outdoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring, in well-drained neutral to acid soil in full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivered:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring and summer. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/collect-your-order-from-castle-cary\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCollection from Castle Cary\u003c\/a\u003e also available.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLupinus 'Gallery White' is a dwarf lupin reaching 50cm with clean white flower spikes in May and June. The white lupin in the Gallery's compact format is among the most versatile: it works in almost any colour scheme, it brightens shaded positions that a coloured lupin cannot lift, and it pairs naturally with everything from blue centaurea to deep red companions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGallery White – The One That Goes with Everything\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMost gardeners choose lupins for their colour — the pinks, bicolours, purples, reds. But there is a case for white as the first choice. White lupins bridge any colour gap in the May and June border, they are not dominated by adjacent strong colours the way pale pink or yellow can be, and they have an airy quality in the early summer garden that gives them more presence than their modest size suggests. Gallery White at 50cm gives you all of this at a scale that works in smaller gardens and containers where the taller West Country series cannot go. The flowers are a clean, unqualified white — the species form can carry a faint cream tinge in some conditions, but Gallery White is the whitest of the white lupins in common cultivation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe cultural requirements are identical to Gallery Red: neutral to acid, free-draining soil in full sun, slug protection in early spring, prompt deadheading for a second flush. Lupins are short-lived perennials — three to five years — but they self-seed and a colony, once established, tends to persist. The seeds are toxic and should be kept away from children and pets. Lupin aphid, a large grey-green pest that colonises the flower stems, is worth watching for in May and June — it can be controlled with a soft soap spray or simply rubbed off by hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCompanions for Gallery White\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhite is the lupin that suits the most combinations. The pairing with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lupin-gallery-red-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGallery Red\u003c\/a\u003e — red and white at matched height and season — is the most direct, and two or three of each together gives a confident red-and-white front-border combination in May and June. For a softer blue-and-white palette, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/centaurea-montana-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCentaurea montana\u003c\/a\u003e flowers at the same time and provides the blue against which Gallery White reads particularly clearly. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/delphinium-galahad-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDelphinium Galahad\u003c\/a\u003e at 150cm behind echoes the white lupin at greater height, creating a white vertical theme across the border. For late season, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/echinacea-white-swan-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eEchinacea White Swan\u003c\/a\u003e carries the white into July and August after the lupins have finished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Ashridge?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe use peat-free compost and biological pest controls. Gallery White is the compact lupin for gardeners who want white in early summer without committing to the scale and permanence of the West Country varieties — a practical, versatile choice for most garden settings. Every plant is guaranteed. See the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/perennial-plants\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eperennial collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAre lupins poisonous?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — all parts, particularly the seeds and pods, contain quinolizidine alkaloids that are toxic if eaten. Garden lupins carry higher alkaloid levels than the edible lupini beans used in Mediterranean cooking. Keep children and pets away from the seeds and pods in particular. Normal gardening contact does not cause harm; wash hands before eating after handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy are my white lupins turning pink or yellow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYellowing usually indicates alkaline soil — lupins need a neutral to slightly acid pH and suffer in lime-rich or chalk soils. A soil pH test will confirm this; lower acidity with sulphur chips if needed. A slight pink flush on white flowers is normal as they age and is not a problem; flowers starting pink and fading to white would suggest the plant is mislabelled or has come from seed that was cross-pollinated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I prevent lupin aphid on Gallery White?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLupin aphid (a large, grey-green, waxy aphid) colonises flower stems in May and June. Spray with a dilute soft soap solution — one tablespoon of washing-up liquid in a litre of water — or simply rub the colonies off with your fingers. Check under the leaves as well as on the flower stems. Natural predators including parasitic wasps will assist if you avoid broad-spectrum insecticides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the best soil for growing lupins?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFree-draining, neutral to slightly acid soil in full sun. Lupins have a deep taproot and need room for it to grow — they dislike compacted or waterlogged ground. Avoid chalk and limestone soils; avoid heavy clay that sits wet in winter. Sandy loam or light garden soil with added organic matter is ideal. Do not add lime or alkaline fertilisers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow often do lupins flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce in May and June is the main event. Deadhead promptly — cut the whole spike back to a side shoot while the lower flowers are still opening — and feed with a liquid fertiliser. A second, smaller flush often follows in August. Without deadheading, seed set stops further bud development and the second flush either does not come or is very thin. The second flush is never as spectacular as the first but is well worth encouraging.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ashridge Nurseries","offers":[{"title":"Potted \/ P9","offer_id":56371959071046,"sku":"PERELUPPOLGAWH-P9","price":7.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0947\/0351\/8022\/files\/white-gallery-lupin-flowers.webp?v=1776340746"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0947\/0351\/8022\/collections\/close-up-of-manhattan-lights-lupin-flower.webp?v=1773748310","url":"https:\/\/www.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/collections\/lupins.oembed","provider":"Ashridge Nurseries","version":"1.0","type":"link"}