Chandelier Lupine

Light up your spring garden with the Chandelier Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus 'Chandelier'), also known as Yellow Bush Lupine, is a striking perennial that dazzles with golden-yellow flower spikes that resemble an elegant chandelier! Chandelier Lupine holds ecological significance, providing nectar for pollinators and acting as a host plant for butterflies while also being deer-resistant.

Its fragrant blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, while its silvery-green, palmate foliage adds an evergreen-like presence in mild climates. The finely textured foliage and multi-branching stems lend a soft, airy appearance, making it a graceful yet bold presence in the garden.

With an upright, bushy habit reaching 24-30 inches tall when in bloom and 15-18 inches wide, Chandelier Lupine creates a stunning focal point in wildflower gardens, coastal landscapes, and naturalized areas. The long spikes of pea-like flowers bloom prolifically in late spring to early summer, giving way to fuzzy seed pods that can self-sow in ideal conditions.

Key Features

• Soft golden-yellow, pea-like flower spikes from late spring to early summer
• Bushy, multi-stemmed form reaching 3-6 feet tall and wide
• Fragrant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects
• Drought-tolerant and nitrogen-fixing, improving soil quality
• Deer-resistant and salt-tolerant, ideal for coastal landscapes
• Native to California, excellent for naturalized and wildflower gardens

Landscaping Uses

Chandelier Lupine is a bushy, fast-growing perennial, making it a fantastic choice for adding vertical interest and vibrant color. It is an excellent choice for xeric landscapes and coastal gardens, where it tolerates salt spray and windy conditions. This is a fast-growing Pea-family relative! Making it a nitrogen-fixing beauty that is native to coastal California and thrives in sandy soils, where its deep roots stabilize dunes and prevent erosion.

• Perfect for coastal gardens, tolerating wind, salt, and sandy soil
• Ideal for wildflower meadows and pollinator gardens
• Works well in xeric and drought-tolerant landscapes
• Adds bold color to mixed perennial borders
• Stabilizes hillsides, dunes, and erosion-prone areas
• Rock gardens and alpine meadows
• Great for cottage gardens and informal plantings

Care and Maintenance

As a woody subshrub in warm zones and a perennial in cooler climates, Chandelier Lupine is a low-maintenance yet showy plant that thrives with minimal care. Highly adaptable and drought-tolerant once established, this hardy Lupine thrives in USDA zones 4-8, favoring full sun and well-draining, sandy or loamy soils.

• Planting Time: Best planted in fall or early spring
• Sun Needs: Full sun is needed for the best flowering
• Soil Needs: Prefers well-draining sandy or loamy soil. Has good salt-tolerant, but does not tolerate heavy clay
• Moisture Needs: Regular moisture access is needed for new plants. But Lupines are drought-tolerant once established; avoid overwatering
• Mulch: A 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch helps retain moisture in dry conditions
• Fertilization Needs: Not required; as a nitrogen-fixer, it enriches the soil naturally
• Pruning Info: Light pruning after blooming encourages a compact shape and may extend flowering
• Deadheading: Trim back old flowers and stems in late winter to promote fresh growth
• Special Features: Resistant to deer

Golden Glow for Your Garden

Add a touch of sunlit brilliance to your landscape with Chandelier Lupine! Its luminous yellow blooms, fast growth, and resilience make it a must-have for pollinator-friendly, coastal, or drought-tolerant gardens. Whether stabilizing slopes or brightening a wildflower meadow, this stunning Lupine delivers both beauty and ecological benefits.

Order now from Nature Hills Nursery, and we’ll ship your Chandelier Lupine at the perfect planting time for your growing zone!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chandelier Lupine invasive?
While it can self-sow in ideal conditions, Chandelier Lupine is not typically considered invasive outside of its native range. However, in some coastal areas, it may spread aggressively, so deadheading spent flowers can help control its spread. Nature Hills uses Plant Sentry™ to only ship these plants where they will not get into trouble.

Can Chandelier Lupine grow in clay soil?
No, this plant prefers sandy, well-draining soils and does not tolerate heavy clay, which can lead to root rot. If your soil is heavy, consider amending it with sand or planting in raised beds.

How long does Chandelier Lupine live?
It is typically a short-lived perennial or subshrub, often lasting 3-5 years. However, it readily reseeds itself in favorable conditions, maintaining a presence in the landscape!