Lupinus, often referred to as lupins or lupines, are a group of plants in the Legume (pea and bean) family. There are around 200 species, but only a small number of species, and many more hybrids, are grown as beautiful, ornamental garden plants. Mostly they are herbaceous perennials, but there are some annuals, and a few are shrubs. Lupins have soft green to grey-green leaves, which are sometimes coated in quite dense, silvery hairs. The dozens, or even hundreds, of individual flowers are produced along and around tall stems, giving the appearance of numerous colourful spires in the border every summer.

Our bare-root lupins (Lupinus) will grow into well-behaved and beautiful plants. They will perform in full-sun to part shade in most soils that are not waterlogged. However, they do appreciate a constant supply of water, and can often be the first plants to wilt when the weather turns hot and dry. They look particularly at home in borders with Hardy Geranium, Campanula and Astrantia, or of course, in drifts with different-coloured lupins.