Plant Encyclopedia

Group/Class:  Gallery Series

Description:

Gallery lupines are shorter than other varieties but the larger flower spikes make up for it; this selection has solid red flowers, deadheading can promote reblooming; prefers cooler climates and a well-drained, organic rich soil

Ornamental Features

Gallery™ Red Lupine features bold spikes of red pea-like flowers rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer, which emerge from distinctive chartreuse flower buds. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its palmate leaves remain emerald green in colour throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Gallery™ Red Lupine is an herbaceous perennial with a rigidly upright and towering form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Self-Seeding

Gallery™ Red Lupine is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Gallery™ Red Lupine will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity extending to 30 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 inches apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 3 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in clay soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.