Not just because their huge clusters of flowers are so esthetically pleasant or because every time I burrow my nose in them I’m competing with cute scary bumblebees every bit just as intoxicated by their fine fragrance as I am, but also because they are so strong, so resilient. Leave it to them to spread through roots and seeds just about everywhere, ruthlessly but elegantly keeping all other plants in the shadow of their splendid palm leaves. I have big confidence in them.
We have a very cheeky albeit delicious raspberry bush that’s been invading the flower bed and the lawn with unbelievable tenacity. I transplanted a lupin at that end of the bed and it’s keeping its ground easily.
The dictionary shows lupinus as the origin of the name, meaning wolfish, from the belief that the plant ravenously exhausts the soil. Looking them up on the Internet, I found out that, in fact, lupins can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into ammonia, thus fertilising the soil for other plants. Some (the sweet lupins, as opposed to the bitter ones) are edible – for instance, some beans are commonly sold in a salty solution in jars, like olives or pickles - although some varieties are poisonous.
It’s too bad that their flowers last only for a short while.
Like all beautiful and pleasant things in life, they have to be cherished while they are.
At least, their palm leaves grace us the whole summer…
12 comments:
They're gorgeous!
Much to be proud of. :)
My favorite colors! And lupins, lupins, lupins. I just love the sound of the word and the way it rolls right off the tongue. Lovely lupins.
They're stunning Vesper - I think I must try planting some this year. They grow wild in the forest and on the verges and since my garden is arguably the most difficult one I've ever tried working in (so hard to get anything to grow) perhaps lupins which seem to be a bit like "weeds" will do nicely here - the foxgloves certainly do.
Too bad that I have pollen allergy.
Magnificent, Vesper! And I loved your descriptions...I can tell you have a special communion with your flowers.
Inhale their scent while you still can. :)
Thanks, Jason. I wish I were better skilled with the camera.
I'm glad you liked them, Lisa. In the US, they are called lupines, but I prefer lupins - the word rolls, as you said...
You definitely should, Vanilla. It's too bad they don't flower continuously...
Yeah, that's a nuisance, Ropi. How you must suffer in spring...
Sarah, thank you. I'm doing my best... :-)
lovely color. I like how the purple leans toward the blue, then leans toward the red.
Indeed you should be proud-
I have had a terrible time, these past few years, with my attempts to grow them from seed. This year I finally broke down and bought two at the nursery, one dark purple (already spent for this year), and one pink (just started blooming). I hope mine are 1 tenth as strong as yours, and that I shall see them again next year.
I doubt I shall get one before next year, but I have decided on the beauty of Moscow, as the lilac of my dreams. :)
Lovely flowers. I am reminded of Monty Python's 'Dennis Moore' who stole lupins and gave to the poor.
They do look lovely, Vesper!
I have a few sown at the back of thet vegetable garden, but they are not doing quite well...Do they gather strength as the years go by - or should I try sowing them somewhere else?
Yes!
I have a red one, a carnelian colour.
oh my! what pretty flowers! they perked me up :)
Taffiny, I hope they'll be fine. Last year, I moved one that had just started blooming and it didn't suffer at all.
Hmmm, what an interesting dream...
Sandra, welcome and thank you for stopping by. I've seen your comments on other blogs and read your stories at Jason's.
It's amazing, I've never watched Monty Python. I keep telling myself I have to watch it and I never do. Your comment made me even more curious.
Szelsofa, they should be gathering strength, yes. If they have plenty of sun - I'm sure they do next to the vegetables - they should be fine.
Oh, Bernita, it must be so beautiful...
I'm glad you like them, Chandni! :-)
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