Silver Bush Lupine — Lupinus albifrons

Lupinus albifrons

A California native bush lupine with silvery foliage and blue-purple spring flower spikes. An excellent accent among dry-garden shrubs where drainage is reliable.

Southern California growing guide

• Light: Full sun to very light shade.
• Mature size: Commonly 3–4 feet tall and wide.
• Water & drought: Establish roots with careful irrigation, then reduce to little or no summer water in suitable conditions. Avoid frequent watering around established plants.
• Soil: Excellent drainage is essential. Choose an open site where water does not collect; heavy wet soil is unsuitable.
• Growth: A woody perennial shrub with seasonal spring flowering. Size and longevity vary with site conditions.
• Wildlife: Flowers support native pollinators, and foliage is a larval host for several butterflies.
• Maintenance: Watch young plants for snails and slugs. Remove spent flower stems if desired and avoid severe cutting into bare old wood.
• Landscape uses: Dry slopes, open native borders and pollinator gardens with similarly low summer-water needs.

Representative species photograph, not current nursery stock. Photo: Eric in SF, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. No intentional image modifications.