We recently brought home some lupine seeds from maine and want to plant them in our gardens in Maryland and NH.. Any information on how to plant them? would be apprecitated.. thank you..

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2001

Answers

Hi Stacie,

In your area, they should do well in full sun. Lupines all require well-drained soil. The hybrids thrive in soil that has been enriched with compost and is neutral to slightly acidic. Soak seeds for a couple of hours before planting.

If you have a perennial variety, you can plant this fall or wait until spring. If you have an annual variety, wait until next spring to plant.

I hope that this helps.

Mike

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

JB does have a point regarding wild lupines. Where a plant is native, it will thrive. The genus Lupinus contains about 200 species. Some are annuals, others perennials, and some are even shrubs. They originate from nearly all parts of the world.

The key is that in general, they all require well-drained soil. And although they are not very demanding and will *survive* under adverse conditions as JB has mentioned, they will *thrive* if cultivated as outlined in my previous message.

Since you know where your particular lupine seed originated, mimic those growing conditions and you will do fine.

Best Regards,

Mike

-- Anonymous, June 02, 2003

I have lupine growing all over my yard and surrounding areas. The soil is so hard that it is hard to dig. Mostly sandstone and very, very, very, dry. I repeat, very dry. It is growing off of highways here where there is no water at all. We live in Big Bear Lake and having a drought. The worst soil in the world and these lupine are growing like mad. Stick that in your pipe with the compost soil.

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2003

What type of Lupine grow so abundantly along the roadsides in Maine? Are they perrenial or annual. We brought home a bunch of seeds from our recent trip thereand would like to know whether to put in the ground now, fall or spring.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2003