Lupinus Morello Cherry - Royal Lupine seeds

Lupinus 'Morello Cherry' is a perennial variety that produces abundant raspberry-red flower clusters. This lupin provides a memorable spectacle with its flamboyant flowering and thrives in moist, light soils.

Lupin is a genus that includes 200 to 1000 species, native to the American continent. They can be annual or perennial, herbaceous or woody. Lupins are very prolific and used for food, forage, or ornamental purposes depending on the variety. Beware, most ornamental species have very toxic seeds containing high levels of alkaloids. Lupins used for food are called 'sweet lupins'.

The 'Morello Cherry' Lupin flowers abundantly from May to late July. Its beautiful raspberry colour creates an attractive contrast with its dark green foliage. It is a tall lupin that will reach 1.20 m (4ft) high. It can be planted in the background of a flowerbed with pale pink oriental poppies and white Hesperis matronalis Alba, which will highlight its beautiful velvety colour, or simply planted in groups of 5 to 6 plants.

Its height and architecture will create relief and structure in the garden. Though it is large, it is sturdy and does not need to be staked. Lupins like moist, deep, slightly acidic soils in full sun or light shade. It can become a bit invasive, so remember to cut the flower stalks for impressive fresh bouquets and also to prevent self-seeding. 

The benefits of fabaceae on the soil have been recognized since ancient times. The Greeks and Romans knew that they can regenerate depleted soils by fixing nitrogen from the air in their roots. Symbiosis with bacteria allows for an exchange of nutrients that benefits all parties. This knowledge has led to the use of crop rotation. Some species are used for their qualities as green manure, while others for their emulsifying power that can replace eggs in cooking (some people with allergies can use lupin flour).