Sky Lupine

Lupinus nanus, Fabaceae

Zones

8–10

Layer

Herbaceous

Lifespan

Annual

Growth

Fast

Guild Roles

Nitrogen FixerGround CoverPollinator Attractor

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (preferred)Partial Shade (tolerated)

Water

Low (established)Moderate (seedling)

Soil pH

5.5 – 7

Tolerances

Drought

Frost

Heat

Pest Resistance

Disease Resist.

Companion Plants

Hop CloverTrifolium campestre

Nitrogen FixationPollinator SharingBeneficial Insect Habitat

Racemed MilkwortPolygala polygama

Pollinator SharingBeneficial Insect HabitatNurse Plant

Big Bend BluebonnetLupinus havardii

Nitrogen FixationPollinator SharingBeneficial Insect Habitat

Cluster-flowered SweetvetchHedysarum glomeratum

Nitrogen FixationPollinator SharingBeneficial Insect Habitat

Blue WildryeElymus glaucus

Nitrogen FixationPollinator Sharing

Common KnotgrassPolygonum aviculare

Nutrient AccumulationBeneficial Insect Habitat

Antagonistic Plants

Chinese Forget-Me-NotCynoglossum amabile

Chinese forget-me-not may release compounds that interfere with lupine growth

Spreading WallflowerErysimum repandum

Glucosinolate breakdown products from wallflowers can inhibit lupine seedling development

Signal GrassBrachiaria decumbens

Signal grass aggressive growth pattern and allelopathic effects inhibit lupine development

AlexandergrassBrachiaria plantaginea

Dense grass root system competes with lupine for water and nutrients

Shortspike CanarygrassPhalaris brachystachys

Canarygrass competitive root system interferes with lupine water and nutrient uptake

Tall wheatgrassThinopyrum ponticum

Tall aggressive grass outcompetes lupines through height advantage and extensive root system

Texas BlueweedHelianthus ciliaris

Sunflower allelopathic compounds and tall growth suppress lupine development

Sickle-leaf Hoary PeaTephrosia falciformis

Sickle-leaf hoary pea allelopathic effects can suppress lupine establishment

Slender Bush CloverLespedeza virginica

Both legumes compete for similar soil conditions and bacterial partnerships

Uses

Functions

Nitrogen FixationSoil ImprovementErosion ControlWildflower Meadow

Edible Parts

Seeds

Common Questions

What zones does Sky Lupine grow in?

Sky Lupine grows in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 10.

Is Sky Lupine a nitrogen fixer?

Yes, Sky Lupine is a nitrogen fixer and can help provide nitrogen to neighboring plants in a guild or polyculture.

What are good companion plants for Sky Lupine?

Good companions for Sky Lupine include Hop Clover, Racemed Milkwort, Big Bend Bluebonnet, Cluster-flowered Sweetvetch, Blue Wildrye.

Design guilds with Sky Lupine and see companion relationships visually.

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