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Lupinus arboreus (Tree lupin)

Other names: Yellow bush lupine

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Species
L. arboreus is a compact, mid-sized, semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub with attractive, divided, glaucous, dark-green leaves. In spring and summer, it bears spikes of fragrant, lemon-yellow, pea-like flowers.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
1.5 m 1.5 m 2-5 years
4 ft 4 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Plant in free-draining soil in full sun or light shade in a sheltered position. Grows quickly but is short-lived. Tolerates drought and coastal conditions. Protect from hard frosts.

Suggested uses

Coastal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal

UK hardiness

H4

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10

Sunset zone

4, 5, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Low
Central Valley = Low
South Coastal = Low
South Inland = Inappropriate
High and Intermediate Desert = Inappropriate
Low Desert = Inappropriate

Foliage

Semi-evergreen

Habit

Bushy

Native to

California

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Fragrance

Flower

Toxicity

All parts of the plant may cause severe discomfort if ingested, especially the seeds

Plant care

Pruning

Typically requires little or no pruning. Deadhead regularly if desired. Can be cut back by half in early spring, completely removing the oldest stems.

Propagation methods

Seed, Basal cuttings

Pests

Slugs

Snails

Aphids

Diseases

Powdery mildew

Deadhead regularly (optional)

Plant in acidic soil

Plant in acid soils that are moist but well-drained

Take basal cuttings

Sow seed in containers in cold frame (anytime)

Plant in full sun or partial shade (autumn or spring)

Requires little or no pruning (winter)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (81)

Lupinus

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Lupinus (any garden hybrid variety)
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Lupinus (any garden hybrid variety) Lupin (any garden hybrid variety)
Lupinus 'My Castle' (Band of Nobles Series)
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Lupinus 'My Castle' (Band of Nobles Series) Lupin 'My Castle'
Lupinus 'Noble Maiden' (Band of Nobles Series)
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Lupinus 'Noble Maiden' (Band of Nobles Series) Lupin 'Noble Maiden'
Lupinus 'Gallery Red' (Gallery Series)
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Lupinus 'Gallery Red' (Gallery Series) Lupin 'Gallery Red'
Lupinus 'The Page' (Band of Nobles Series)
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Lupinus 'The Page' (Band of Nobles Series) Lupin 'The Page'
Lupinus Russell hybrids
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Lupinus Russell hybrids Lupin Russell hybrids
Lupinus arboreus
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Lupinus arboreus Tree lupin
Lupinus 'The Governor' (Band of Nobles Series)
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Lupinus 'The Governor' (Band of Nobles Series) Lupin 'The Governor'
Lupinus 'Gallery Blue Shades'
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Lupinus 'Gallery Blue Shades' Lupin 'Gallery Blue Shades'
Lupinus 'Polar Princess'
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Lupinus 'Polar Princess' Lupin 'Polar Princess'
Lupinus 'Blackcurrant Crush'
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Lupinus 'Blackcurrant Crush' Lupin 'Blackcurrant Crush'
Lupinus 'Gallery Dwarf Mixed'
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Lupinus 'Gallery Dwarf Mixed' Lupin 'Gallery Dwarf Mixed'
Lupinus 'Chandelier' (Band of Nobles Series)
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Lupinus 'Chandelier' (Band of Nobles Series) Lupin 'Chandelier'
Lupinus 'Manhattan Lights'
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Lupinus 'Manhattan Lights' Lupin 'Manhattan Lights'
Lupinus 'Gallery Pink' (Gallery Series)
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Lupinus 'Gallery Pink' (Gallery Series) Lupin 'Gallery Pink'
Lupinus 'Gallery White' (Gallery Series)
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Lupinus 'Gallery White' (Gallery Series) Lupin 'Gallery White'
Lupinus 'Gallery Yellow' (Gallery Series)
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Lupinus 'Gallery Yellow' (Gallery Series) Lupin 'Gallery Yellow'
Lupinus 'Lulu'
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Lupinus 'Lulu' Lupin 'Lulu'
Lupinus 'Sunlight'
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Lupinus 'Sunlight' Sunlight lupin
Lupinus 'The Chatelaine' (Band of Nobles Series)
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Lupinus 'The Chatelaine' (Band of Nobles Series) Lupin 'The Chatelaine'
Lupinus aridus 'Summer Spires'
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Lupinus aridus 'Summer Spires' Lupin 'Summer Spires'
Lupinus 'Chameleon'
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Lupinus 'Chameleon' Lupin 'Chameleon'
Lupinus Gallery Series
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Lupinus Gallery Series Lupin Gallery Series
Lupinus polyphyllus 'Lulu'
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Lupinus polyphyllus 'Lulu' Lupin 'Lulu'
Lupinus elegans 'Pink Fairy'
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Lupinus elegans 'Pink Fairy' Lupin 'Pink Fairy'
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Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss Lupinus arboreus with other Shoot members

Re: tree lupin

Shoot User
1275 0
I have a tree lupin and have pruned it to shape regularly in spring. It has always recovered well and I live in a cold but sheltered part of mid wales where we get hard frost and lots of snow. hope this helps
Posted: Thursday 11th of June 2015 03:01 PM

Re: tree lupin

Shoot User
1275 0
Hello Kathy,

It sounds like you know something about these. After reading Dave Goulson's book about bumblebees I decided that my rooftop garden had to have one of these. How do you think it will do in a container? I've put it (came in a small 9cm sq. pot) in a 20cm round plastic pot and set it for now in a sunny south-facing location that gets rather a bit of breeze (thinking "coastline" here).

What do you think?

-Kevin
Posted: Thursday 12th of June 2014 02:38 PM

Re: tree lupin

Kathy N
1275 1
Hi, Charles,
It sounds like your last tree lupin behaved as expected - they are very fast growers but are short-lived. Generally, they require little or no pruning and can be expected to reach 1.5m tall and wide. However, if you want to keep it a bit more compact, you can cut it back by half in early spring. That pruning recommendation is typically given to those who grow it in its native California where winters might be milder than where you live. if you live in a colder area, it might not respond as well to pruning.
Kathy C
Posted: Tuesday 29th of October 2013 07:17 PM

tree lupin

Shoot User
1275 2
I had a tree lupin which grew rapidly and took over the whole flowerbed

I have pulled it up and planted a new one which is very small at the moment
With regard to looking after it I appreciate it should be deadheaded as required but how do i PRUNE IT TO KEEP IT REASONABLY SMALL AND NOT HAVE A REPEAT OF LAST TIME

mANY THANKS

Charles
Posted: Monday 28th of October 2013 02:30 PM Last reply: Friday 28th of February 2025 10:54 PM
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