Lupinus polyphyllus West Country Persian Slipper

The Lupine 'Persian Sliper', from the excellent 'West Country' series, thrusts under the June sun with abundant spikes loaded with intensely blue-violet flowers, punctuated with a few touches of white. This new generation lupine, which does not require staking, excels in perennial borders, bringing a lot of verticality. While this perennial is not difficult to grow, its requirements are clear: it likes sun and deep, moist soil, but dislikes the lime that turns its beautiful palmate leaves yellow.

It is commonly accepted that Russell hybrid lupines are hybrids obtained by cross-breeding Lupinus polyphyllus, a perennial plant native to North America, and Lupinus hartwegii, an annual Mexican species. The best of them were patiently selected in the 1930s by a gardener named George Russell, who was passionate about lupines. Since then, other enthusiasts have taken over and dedicated themselves to obtaining robust, floriferous, and very reliable varieties. It is in England that the 'West Country' varieties were born, very recently. Vigorous, disease-resistant, with strong flower stems and large spikes of light and vibrant colored flowers, these lupines are excellent garden plants.

The 'Persian Slipper' lupine is a bushy and vigorous herbaceous perennial plant, forming clumps about 90 cm (35in) tall when in bloom and about 60 cm (24in) wide, with rapid growth. In late spring and early summer, in May-June, it displays abundant spikes, sometimes reaching 50 cm (20in) in length, somewhat rigid but very graphic, densely covered with slightly fragrant pea-like flowers measuring 1 to 3 cm (0 to 1in). The majority of them are almost indigo blue, some are almost white, their combination giving the inflorescence a very bright color. The lush and vibrant green foliage distinguishes itself from other fabaceae by its palmate leaves with at least 5 leaflets radiating from the same petiole. The vegetation disappears in winter and re-emerges in spring.

The 'West Country' hybrid lupines are plants with very good hardiness that spread without aggressiveness and prove resistant to diseases. Their only weakness is the attraction they have towards slugs and snails, which will need to be protected against. Perfect in poor, lime-free soil, perennial lupines readily self-seed in suitable gardens. Soften their somewhat rigid silhouettes with plants with rounded curves, such as roses, oriental poppies, in matching colors. They thrive in the company of hollyhocks and peonies, creating beautiful low-maintenance borders. In natural areas, associate them with sainfoin, alfalfa, vetches, and grasses.