Silver Bush Lupine Plant Care

Silver Bush Lupine (Acmispon argyraeus var. multicaulis) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Acmispon genus. Silver Bush Lupine is native to California, United States. Silver Bush Lupine is also known as Silverleaf Lupine.

Silver Bush Lupine displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Silver Bush Lupine produces small yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Silver Bush Lupine every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Silver Bush Lupine thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Acmispon argyraeus var. multicaulis tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Silver Bush Lupine prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Silver Bush Lupine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Silver Bush Lupine every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Silver Bush Lupine is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Silver Bush Lupine can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Silver Bush Lupine while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Silver Bush Lupine is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Silver Bush Lupine can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american bird's-foot trefoil plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Silver Bush Lupine is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Silver Bush Lupine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Silver Bush Lupine is native to California, United States.