Lupinus arboreus - Purple Bush Lupine

Description

This purple-flowered shrub is an uncommon form of the typically yellow-flowered Bush Lupine. Found only on the immediate coast in the Bay Area, this shrub has actually proven quite adaptable to inland conditions, given good drainage, sun, and a little summer water. Beautiful spires of deep blue-purple flowers grace this evergreen shrub in spring. Bright green palmate leaves are attractive the rest of the year. As with other shrubby Lupines, a hard annual pruning in late summer will produce a more compact, longer lived plant.