Staircase™ Orange Lupine
Lupinus polyphyllus 'Staircase Orange'
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Plant Profile & Growing Essentials
Cold hardy, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Drought resistant, Attracts Butterflies, and Attracts pollinators
Specifications
Specifications
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Botanical Name
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Height
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Width
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Growing Zones
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Sunlight
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Growth RateModerate
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Flower Color
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Leaf Color
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Pollinator FriendlyYes
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Bloom PeriodEarly Summer, Late Summer, Late Spring
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Does Not Ship ToAL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, HI, ID, KS, LA, MS, MT, NV, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA
Planting & Care Instructions
Planting & Care Instructions
Growing Zones 4-8
Staircase™ Orange Lupine – Vibrant Fiery Blooms
Elevate your garden with the brightly colored Proven Winners® Staircase™ Orange Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus 'Staircase Orange') sets the garden ablaze with its striking, spire-like flowers in shades of deep orange, apricot, and coral!
This reblooming beauty graces the landscape with vertical elegance, offering a dramatic display in late spring to early summer with a possible encore in fall. Pollinators can't resist its nectar-rich blooms, making it a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Plus, its fragrant flowers add an extra sensory delight!
This perennial forms a lush, bushy mound of palmate, deep green foliage that serves as the perfect backdrop for its towering floral spikes. In folklore, Lupines symbolize imagination and happiness, bringing a sense of joy to any garden they grace.
Key Features
- Stunning fiery orange, apricot, and coral flower spikes
- Blooms in late spring to early summer, with possible fall rebloom
- Fragrant and highly attractive to pollinators
- Thrives in USDA Zones 4-8
- Nitrogen-fixing plant that improves soil health
- Tolerates drought once established
Landscaping Uses
Staircase™ Orange Lupine adds vertical drama with its tall flower spikes and bushy green foliage, making it an excellent choice for mixed beds and borders. Reaching 24 inches tall and about 24 inches wide, its bold presence is perfect for back borders, cottage gardens, and wildflower meadows.
- Cottage gardens for an old-fashioned charm
- Wildflower meadows for a naturalized look
- Pollinator gardens to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
- Mixed perennial borders and Rock Gardens for bold, vertical accents
- The deep tap roots make them drought-tolerant and prevent erosion
- Mass plantings for a striking seasonal display
- Salt-tolerant and ideal for coastal landscapes.
Care and Maintenance
A member of the Pea family, and native to California, this Lupine thrives in cooler climates and performs best in USDA Zones 4-8. It prefers well-drained soils and enjoys full sun to partial shade. Its deep taproot makes it highly drought-tolerant once established, and it even enriches the soil by fixing nitrogen! As an herbaceous perennial, this Lupine returns each spring with vigor.
- Planting Time: Spring or fall.
- Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, sandy, loamy, or slightly acidic soil. The deep tap root does not tolerate heavy clay or poor drainage.
- Moisture Needs: Moderate moisture needs; drought-tolerant once established.
- Mulch: 3-4 inches of arborist mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.
- Fertilization Needs: Light feeding in spring with a balanced fertilizer; avoid high nitrogen.
- Pruning Info: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming and prevent self-seeding. In fall, trim back the foliage.
- Renewal Pruning: Cut back in fall after foliage dies back.
- Special Needs/Perks/Growing Tips:
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Nitrogen-fixing plant that improves soil health
- Prefers cool weather; may struggle in hot, humid climates
- Handles sandy and rocky soils well
Fiery Spikes for a Show-Stopping Garden
Lupines have long been a favorite of cottage gardeners and wildflower lovers, and Staircase™ Orange Lupine takes that admiration to new heights with its dazzling fiery tones and reblooming nature. Whether you're looking to create a pollinator paradise or simply add a vibrant splash of color, this perennial is a must-have.
Order this Proven Winners® selection now from Nature Hills Nursery and get ready to enjoy a breathtaking floral show!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Lupines come back every year?
Yes! Staircase™ Orange Lupine is a perennial that returns bigger and better each year, dying back in winter and re-emerging in spring.
How do I encourage my Lupine to rebloom?
Deadhead spent blooms promptly to encourage a second flush of flowers in late summer or early fall.
Can Lupines grow in clay soil?
Lupines prefer well-drained, sandy, or loamy soil and do not tolerate heavy clay. If you have clay soil, amend it with organic matter or plant in raised beds.
Do I need to fertilize my Lupine?
Lupines are nitrogen-fixers, meaning they naturally enrich the soil. However, a light feeding in spring with a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer can encourage more blooms.
Is Staircase™ Orange Lupine deer-resistant?
Yes, Lupines are generally deer and rabbit resistant due to their slightly toxic foliage. However, no plant is completely deer-proof.
