Product Description
Lupinus polyphyllus MINI GALLERY™ Series - Blue Bicolor (30)ct Flat
MINI GALLERY™ Series
Common Name: Lupine
This series of Lupine from HM Clause in France is touted as being more compact, more floriferous, and earlier blooming than the Gallery Series. In height, these are shorter than the popular Popsicle Series. Although Lupines are typically short-lived plants, they really come into their own on warm, sunny days and cool nights when planted in mass.
Lupines really come into their own during warm, sunny days and cool nights and look especially lovely when grown in masses with similar varieties. A memorable sight for any garden lover, these beautiful plants grow into well-established clumps, with several stems rising up out of a single base. A bouquet of Lupines has no equal!
Grow Lupines in full sun or light shade. They require rich organic soil with slight acidity and good drainage. They thrive in cool climates and find it difficult to survive in areas with extremely hot summers. Applying mulch around the root zone will help to keep the roots cool and will protect them over the winter. Deadheading spent flowers will prolong the bloom time, as well as rejuvenate the plants in cool areas. These plants tend to attract aphids, but this can be avoided by cutting them back periodically or spraying for the pests before they become a problem.
A Compact and Colorful Lupine
The Lupinus p. MINI GALLERY Series - Blue Bicolor is a captivating addition to any garden, boasting vibrant blue and white bicolor flowers that bloom earlier than other lupine varieties. This compact and floriferous lupine, bred in France by HM Clause, is perfect for small spaces and containers, adding a touch of whimsy and elegance to any setting. As a hybrid of the native North American species, Lupinus polyphyllus, it carries the hardiness and adaptability of its parent while displaying the improved features of modern breeding. This series extends the lupine season by blooming two weeks earlier than other cultivars, allowing gardeners to enjoy their beauty for an extended period.
- Habit: Compact, upright
- Height: 14-16 inches
- Spread: 7-9 inches
- Flower Color: Blue and white bicolor
- Bloom Time: Early summer
- Hardiness Zones: 4-8
- Other Features: Attracts pollinators, sturdy stems, cold tolerant, native, deer resistant, drought tolerant, low maintenance, good for containers, small spaces, ground covers, landscape plugs, fall color, winter interest, nitrogen fixer, medium growth rate
Foliage: The foliage of this lupine is star-shaped and emerges in early spring, adding an interesting texture to the garden before the flowers appear.
Nitrogen Fixer: This lupine, like others in the Lupinus genus, is a nitrogen fixer. This means it has a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria that live in nodules on its roots. These bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use, improving soil fertility and benefiting neighboring plants.
Care Requirements To ensure the healthy growth and vibrant blooms of your Lupinus p. MINI GALLERY Series - Blue Bicolor, follow these care guidelines:
- Sunlight: Plant in a location that receives full sun to part shade, ideally at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In warm southern zones, afternoon shade is beneficial.
- Soil: This lupine prefers well-drained, moist soil with slight acidity (pH 6.0-7.0). Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage. Lupines dislike lime, so if you are having trouble growing them, try adding a few handfuls of peat to the planting hole.
- Water: Water regularly, especially during the first growing season and hot summers. Once established, this variety is relatively drought tolerant. When grown in containers, use a high-quality, well-drained, bark-based media and allow the media to dry slightly between waterings. Ensure adequate water year-round.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to promote healthy growth and flowering.
- Winterizing: In colder zones (4-6), apply a layer of mulch in late fall to protect the roots from freezing temperatures. In warmer zones, this lupine can be grown as an annual.
- Maintenance & Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming and encourage new growth. Cut back the foliage to about 6 inches in mid-late July, then not again until spring to remove any winter kill. Deadheading can also help with overwintering. Although this variety is typically compact, it may require staking in some situations. In Northern gardens, provide winter protection with a light mulch and choose a sheltered site out of the wind and harsh sun. Division is difficult due to the long taproot, but side shoots can be removed and replanted in the spring.
Ideal Growing Conditions The Lupinus p. MINI GALLERY Series - Blue Bicolor thrives in cool climates with warm, sunny days and cool nights. For optimal growth, provide the following conditions:
- Full sun to part shade: Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Cool climates: This variety may struggle in areas with extremely hot summers.
- Well-drained soil: The soil should be moist but not waterlogged.
- Slightly acidic soil: A pH of 6.0-7.0 is ideal.
- Rich organic soil: Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure.
- Good air circulation: Ensure proper spacing and avoid overcrowding.
- Optimal temperature for forcing: When forcing lupines into flower, maintain a temperature of 60-65°F.
- Photoperiod for forcing: Long days (14-16 hours) are required to force lupines into flower. Under these conditions, they will flower in roughly 10-12 weeks.
- Avoid humid Gulf states: This variety is not a good choice for the humid Gulf states.
Uses The Lupinus p. MINI GALLERY Series - Blue Bicolor is a versatile plant with various uses in the garden:
- Borders: Its compact habit and vibrant colors make it an excellent addition to borders, where it can provide a striking contrast with other perennials.
- Containers: This lupine thrives in containers, adding a touch of elegance to patios, balconies, and decks.
- Mass Plantings: When planted in masses, this variety creates a stunning display of color and texture.
- Cut Flowers: The sturdy stems and vibrant flowers make it a great choice for cut flower arrangements.
- Cottage Gardens: Its charming appearance and adaptability make it a perfect fit for cottage gardens.
- Wildflower Gardens: As a hybrid of a native species, it can be incorporated into wildflower gardens to attract pollinators and enhance biodiversity.
- Background Plantings: Its upright habit and vibrant colors make it a suitable background plant for shorter perennials.
- Specimen Plant: Its unique beauty and compact size make it an eye-catching specimen plant in the garden.
- Companion Plants: Lupines are good companion plants for heavy-feeding vegetables such as cucumbers, squash, and cabbage, as they help improve soil fertility.
The Lupinus p. MINI GALLERY Series - Blue Bicolor is a delightful and low-maintenance lupine variety that brings a burst of color to the early summer garden. Its compact habit makes it ideal for smaller gardens, borders, and containers, while its vibrant blue and white flowers attract pollinators and create a captivating display. This adaptable lupine thrives in a variety of conditions and is a rewarding choice for gardeners of all levels of experience. Whether you are looking to add a touch of elegance to a small space or create a vibrant border, the Lupinus p. MINI GALLERY Series - Blue Bicolor is sure to impress.
Thirty (30) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 3 inches deep x 2 inches wide.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
