Lupine, or lupin (lupines polyphyllus) is considered a wildflower here in Nova Scotia, escaped from cultivation, and taken up home on roadsides and meadows.
Lupine remains a popular perennial plant in flower gardens as well, and looks wonderful in mass plantings or dispersed with other cottage garden flowers.
Lupines are deer resistant, especially when mature. Tender young plants may still be prone to deer damage, however will be less delectable when they are large and mature plants.
Lupines can be grown in containers, with special considerations.The long tap root , and tendency to grow into a large top heavy plant, indicates the need for a large heavy pot with good drainage.
Be aware of how lupines spread. Seeds are released in a projectile fashion allowing the plants to distribute further from the mother plant, and increase the growing area.
Deadheading spent lupine flowers gives a clean look to the plant, encourages fresh growth, prevents seed pods from forming, and the plant from self seeding.
There is no need to cut the lupine plant back in autumn, although some do. You can cut back the plant as part of your fall clean up, or clean up the old foliage in spring.
Lupines can last for many years, due to their ability to reseed themselves. Try growing some lupines in your garden, to enjoy a burst of color early in the season, year after year!