Flowers - Lupine, Texas Bluebonnet
The Texas Bluebonnet Lupine (Lupinus texensis) is so named because the blossoms resemble the bonnets worn by pioneer women. This low-growing annual is in the legume family, so it fixes nitrogen in the soil and is a great companion plant or cover crop for the vegetable garden. Produces upright spikes of pea-sized blossoms in rich blue with white tips, but can also pop up in shades of white, pink, purple, and maroon (“Aggiebonnet”). Grows 1'-1.5' tall on sturdy stems with daisy-like palmate foliage. Spectacular in a pot or blanketing an entire field. The state flower of Texas.
If consumed in large quantities, seeds can be toxic to people, pets, and livestock.
- Life cycle: Annual
- Bloom season: Spring
- Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
- Flower meaning: Abundance, change, growth
SEED PLANTING TIPS
- Botanical name: Lupinus texensis
- Hardiness zones: 3-8
- Planting season: Fall
- Days to maturity: 1st or 2nd year
- Cold stratify: No
- Depth to plant seeds: Lightly cover - seeds need light to germinate
- Spacing between plants: 8"-12" apart
- Days to germinate (sprout): 7-30 days
- Germination soil temps: 55F-70F
- Soil types: Clay, sandy, loamy, silty, rocky, chalky, calcareous, dry, well-drained
- Soil pH: 7.5+
- Water needs: Low - do not overwater
- Sun needs: Full sun
- Frost tolerant: Yes
- Drought tolerant: Yes
- Deer resistant: Yes
QUICK LINKS
enter the seed shopPods are the easiest way to start your seeds - indoors or outdoors. Just add water to let the soil expand - then add your seeds - and watch them grow. Starting plants inside is very rewarding. All you need to do is add water, add your seeds, and watch them grow. Makes seed starting so much easier! Provides shock-free transplantation into your garden, container, or pot.
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