Texas Bluebonnet (Lupine)
Lupinus texensis (Lupinus subcarnosus). FABACEAE (LEGUMINOSAE).
Planting and Growing Texas Bluebonnet
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow Texas bluebonnet in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of Texas bluebonnet
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for Texas bluebonnet
- Season of bloom and planting time for Texas bluebonnet
- When, how deep, and where to plant Texas bluebonnet
- How to plant Texas bluebonnet
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of Texas bluebonnet
- Landscape and container uses of Texas bluebonnet
- Comments about Texas bluebonnet and its features
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Growing Texas Bluebonnet
Several cultivars of upright or bushy annual and perennial herbs, 12–16 in. (30–40 cm) tall. Fuzzy, yellow green, palmlike, deeply lobed leaves, to 4 in. (10 cm) long, with lance-shaped, pointed leaflets.
Texas bluebonnet became the state flower of Texas in 1901.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Many deep blue, cream, white, bicolored, pealike flowers, arranged on spikes, to 1 ft. (30 cm) long, in spring–summer.
Best Climates
Mostly hardy. Self-seeding. Plant as annual, zones 2–3; ground hardy, zones 4–10.
Soil Type and Fertility
Damp to dry, well-drained, sandy soil. Fertility: Rich–low, depending on species. 6.0–7.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring in full to filtered sun, 8–12 in. (20–30 cm) apart, after frost hazard has passed.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep damp; allow soil surface to dry between waterings. Fertilize annually in spring. Deadhead spent flowers for autumn bloom. Protect from wind. Propagate by division, seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for backgrounds, beds, borders, fencelines in cottage, meadow, natural, wildlife, woodland gardens. Attracts birds, hummingbirds. Disease resistant. Lupine aphid susceptible.
Warning:
Foliage, stems, leaves, roots and seeds of Lupinus texensis are toxic if eaten. Avoid planting in areas frequented by pets or children.