Product description
An unusual mix of dark purple, rich claret, and golden-yellow gives Lupin Magic Lantern plenty of character when its tall flower spikes appear in early summer. The densely packed blooms rise above fresh green, palmate foliage, creating a colourful vertical display with the classic shape of a cottage-garden Lupin. Its distinctive colouring makes it particularly effective among softer greens and paler flowers, while bees and other pollinating insects are also attracted to the blooms.
The flower spikes bring useful height to mixed borders without taking up much ground space, making them easy to position among lower-growing perennials. They are also well suited to cutting, with the unusual colours making an interesting addition to a summer vase. Magic Lantern can also be grown in a larger container, where its upright growth makes good use of limited space and keeps the colourful spikes clearly visible.
Please Note: When purchasing plants, please consider that each live item is unique and may therefore differ from the images shown, which are for illustration purposes only. The plant will be supplied in a growers pot. Depending on season, some plants may be pruned back to encourage growth and deciduous plants may arrive without leaves.
Garden Plant Size Guide
Plants in larger pots can be multiple years older than their smaller counterparts with more mature root systems and foliage. This makes them able to thrive as a full size plant in your garden quicker than smaller alternatives.
The most common size of pot that garden plants come in are 9cm/1L/3L/5L this is in reference to the diameter at the top of the pot.
9cm potted plants still remain the most popular cost effective option though, they just may take a little patience to allow them to grow into full maturity once planted in your garden.
Plant specs, care guide & tips
Key features
Specifications
When to plant
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Planting and period of interest times are general guidelines and may vary based on your location and conditions. For best results, consult local gardening resources.
Instructions
Top Tip
Cut the main flower spike as soon as most of the blooms have faded, rather than waiting for the whole stem to finish. This can encourage side shoots lower down to produce a second flush, while also stopping the Lupin plant from putting all its energy into seed production.
How to Water
Keep Lupin well watered as it establishes, particularly when the weather is warm or dry. Once settled, it prefers the soil to remain slightly moist while it is growing and flowering, so give it a thorough soak when the surface begins to dry rather than allowing it to dry out completely.
How to Plant
A sunny or lightly shaded position with fertile, well-drained soil is ideal for Lupin, with some organic matter worked into poorer ground before planting. Leave around 45cm between plants, then set each one at the same depth as it was growing in its pot, firm the soil gently around the roots, and water thoroughly.
