Are you still not quite sure whether you really want to plant a lupine in your garden? In our article we will give you several alternatives that have similar properties to Lupinus - and not just visually.
Which plants are good lupine alternatives?
Seed sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and vetch (Vicia sativa) are suitable alternatives to lupine. These butterflies are attractive soil improvers and food sources for bees.
Which plants are suitable alternatives for lupine?
Suitable alternatives for lupine are the following four plants:
- Seed sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia)
- Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum)
- Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
- Forage vetch (Vicia sativa)
Like the lupine (Lupinus), these four species belong to theLepidoptera family. Together with her, they also have the reputation of beingattractive soil improvers and of serving as an excellent source of food for bees.
What makes indigo lupine a good lupine alternative?
The indigo lupine (Baptisia), also known as dyer's pod, is considered aneven more robust and longer-lasting alternative to the lupine. It is said to thrive in both very nutrient-rich and poor soils.
Compared to the lupine, the still relatively unknown indigo lupine has a looser structure: its individual flowers are not so close together.
You can enjoy a variety of colors with both plants. Like the lupine, the indigo lupine is also available inwhite, yellow and blue shades. There are also multi-colored flowering varieties.
By the way: Indigo lupine also improves the soil.
Tip
Alternatives? Why not combine the lupine with other perennials?
It doesn't always have to be an either/or scenario. If you like the lupine and some of the alternatives mentioned above, you can easily combine several perennials if you have enough space in the garden, as long as their location requirements harmonize. Possible beautiful additions to the lupine include these plants: - Spring pea (Lathyrus vernus) - Broad-leaved pea (Lathyrus latifolius) - Sage (Salvia)
