Lupins (gouache style)

Lupins are members of the pea family, and like their relatives they fix nitrogen from the air. Their tall spires of pea-like flowers open in early summer, and their hand-shaped leaves hold raindrops in a way that's easy to recognise. Most garden lupins descend from the North American Lupinus polyphyllus. The Russell lupins, bred in Yorkshire in the early twentieth century, brought the wide range of colours seen today.

Sow seed in spring after soaking it overnight or nicking the hard coat, or take basal cuttings from established plants in early spring. Plant in sun or light shade in light, well-drained, slightly acid soil. Lupins have long tap roots, so they don't like being moved once settled. Protect young shoots from slugs in spring, and check for the large grey lupin aphid in late spring. Cutting off faded spikes in June or July can bring a smaller second flush. They're fairly short lived.

Spikes of pink, purple, cream and apricot lupins fill a border in this picture. The mix of colours reflects how varied modern lupins are. It's set at the height of their flowering, when every spire is open and the border is at its fullest before midsummer.