Plant Guide

Lupinus albifrons

• Common Name

  Silver Bush Lupine
• CA Native

  California Native
• Plant Type

  Shrub
• Size

  3' - 5' x 3' - 5'
• Flower Color

  Purplish-Blue
• Bloom Time

  • Spring
• Leaves

  Silvery Gray-Green
• Evergreen

  Evergreen
• Deer Resistant

  Seldom Damaged
• Wildlife Value

  • Attracts Beneficial Insects
  • Bees
  • Butterfly & Other Insect Nectar
• Growth Rate

  Fast
• Hardiness

  Hardy
• Adverse Growth Factors

  None
• Special Features

  • Erosion Control
  • Fragrance
  • Low Maintenance
  • Showy Flowers
• Water Use

  • Drought Tolerant
  • Low
• Soil pH

  6.5-7.5 (neutral)
• Exposure

  • Full Sun
• Soil Type

  Not Particular
• Drainage

  Well Drained
• Description and Cultural Plant Tips

  The Silver Bush Lupine has showy  3 " long purplish-blue flower spikes and blooms from spring into summer.  It is a dense, compact, mounding shrub with luminous silvery gray foliage. It is also the host for the endangered Mission Blue Butterfly. Use in a butterfly or rock garden, in the back of a perennial garden or on a naturalized slope. 

  Plant slightly above soil grade in full sun with good drainage. Do not add fertilizers or amendments. Plant in late fall to take advantage of winter rains. It likes a lean soil. Will tolerate some summer water but it is best kept on the dry side.

  This is a butterlfy magnet. Bees and beneficials also enjoy this plant. As noted above it is a host plant for the endangered Mission Blue butterfly.

  No significant diseases, however, it is tasty to the snail and slug community.

• Master Gardener Comments

  N / A
• Varietals

  N / A