Silvery lupine
Lupinus argenteus
Last reviewed: August 2026
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–30" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, ID and 12 more states
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 431 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaAn upright perennial legume with silvery, palmate leaves and tall spikes of blue-purple pea flowers in summer. It grows in mountain meadows and can flop somewhat by season's end.
Wildlife value
Host plant for silvery blue, boisduval's blue.
Lupines are a key larval host genus for the silvery blue and boisduval's blue butterflies, and the flowers are heavily used by bumble bees.
Common questions
- How much sun does Silvery lupine need?
- Silvery lupine grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Silvery lupine bloom?
- Silvery lupine blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Silvery lupine native?
- Silvery lupine (Lupinus argenteus) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 12 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What butterflies or moths does Silvery lupine host?
- Silvery lupine is a larval host plant for silvery blue and boisduval's blue.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
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