Lupinus nanus

Common Names

Sky Lupine, Field Lupine, Dwarf Lupin, Douglas' Annual Lupine, Ocean-blue Lupine, Valley Sky Lupine

Summary

Sky lupine is an annual wildflower native to the western United States, including California, Nevada, and eastern Oregon, typically found in chaparral clearings and slopes such as the Coast Ranges and Sierra foothills. It grows as an annual herb with a compact, bushy to pyramidal form reaching about 6–24 inches tall and has palmately compound leaves with 5–9 leaflets; racemes of fragrant pea‑like flowers appear blue to lavender with a white blotch, blooming from late winter into spring. The species is nitrogen‑fixing and tends to self-sow, while attracting bees, butterflies, and moths.

For cultivation, it prefers full sun and dry, well‑drained soils, tolerating sandy or clay textures with a pH of 5.4–7.7 and showing drought tolerance once established. Propagation is by seed; fresh seeds require no pretreatment, while stored seeds may benefit from scarification or hot water, with germination typically in 2–4 weeks. Uses include containers and landscaping, wildflower meadows, and informal plantings, and the plant provides habitat for pollinators and supports biodiversity; hardy in hardiness zones 3–24 and capable of self‑seeding.

Lifecycle

Annual

Height

4-24 inches

Spread

6-20 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun, tolerates partial shade in hotter climates

Soil Type

Well-drained sandy or loamy soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.4–7.7

Bloom Color

Blue

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green, Grey, Silver

Fall Foliage Color

Not available

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Winter, Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds