Nitrogen-fixing; cool-season bloomer; prefers slightly acidic soil; reseeds if not deadheaded
Select your zone to highlight your exact planting dates. Dates are calculated from each zone's average frost dates.
| Zone | Last Frost | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2A | May 30 | Apr 4 | May 2 | Apr 18 |
| Zone 3B | May 15 | Mar 20 | Apr 17 | Apr 3 |
| Zone 4A | May 8 | Mar 13 | Apr 10 | Mar 27 |
| Zone 4B | May 1 | Mar 6 | Apr 3 | Mar 20 |
| Zone 5A | Apr 25 | Feb 28 | Mar 28 | Mar 14 |
| Zone 5B | Apr 18 | Feb 21 | Mar 21 | Mar 7 |
| Zone 6A | Apr 21 | Feb 24 | Mar 24 | Mar 10 |
| Zone 6B | Apr 10 | Feb 13 | Mar 13 | Feb 27 |
| Zone 7A | Apr 5 | Feb 8 | Mar 8 | Feb 22 |
| Zone 7B | Mar 28 | Jan 31 | Feb 28 | Feb 14 |
| Zone 8A | Mar 20 | Jan 23 | Feb 20 | Feb 6 |
| Zone 8B | Mar 12 | Jan 15 | Feb 12 | Jan 29 |
| Zone 9A | Feb 28 | Jan 3 | Jan 31 | Jan 17 |
| Zone 9B | Feb 15 | Dec 21 | Jan 18 | Jan 4 |
| Zone 10A | Feb 1 | Dec 7 | Jan 4 | Dec 21 |
| Zone 10B | Jan 15 | Nov 20 | Dec 18 | Dec 4 |
| Zone 11A | Jan 1 | Nov 6 | Dec 4 | Nov 20 |
Lupines produce spectacular spires of colorful blooms in early summer — and as legumes, they fix nitrogen in the soil as a bonus.
Good companions: delphiniums, irises, poppies
Avoid planting near: Hot, humid conditions; alkaline or wet soils
Ornamental; cut flower spikes when 1/2 to 3/4 of buds have opened