Lupinus bicolor

Common Names

Miniature Lupine, Bicolored Lupine, Annual Lupine, Two-Color Lupine, Miniature Annual Lupine, Pygmy-Leaved Lupine

Summary

Miniature lupine is a small annual wildflower native to western North America, from British Columbia to Baja California, growing in open or disturbed sites such as grasslands, prairies, and sandy habitats. It reaches about 3–16 inches tall on short, hairy stems with palmately divided leaves of 5–7 leaflets, and bears racemes up to 8 cm tall of two-color flowers typically blue with a white center; after bloom hairy pods form containing tiny brown seeds that can disperse explosively. It is a nitrogen-fixer that thrives in droughty, well-drained soils under sunny conditions and attracts native bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

In cultivation, it prefers full sun and well-drained soils with moderate water after establishment, and propagates by seeds—fresh seeds require no pretreatment, while stored seeds may benefit from scarification or hot water. It is suitable for mass plantings with other annual wildflowers or containers, and supports pollinators, making it a good choice for habitat restoration, wildlife gardens, and drought-tolerant landscapes.

Lifecycle

Annual

Height

2-24 inches

Spread

10-12 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 8-9

Sunlight Requirements

ideally full sun, inland partial sun

Soil Type

Well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Blue

Bloom Time

Spring (early spring to early summer)

Foliage Color

Gray-green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring

Propagation Methods

Seeds

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators