Caroline Lupin, Thermopsis villosa, has been enchanting gardeners for years with its yellow spiky racemes of lupine-like flowers which bloom in July. If you ever tried to grow a Lupin here in the Midwest, only to be crushed when the plant turned into a mushy mess, well dry your tears, you can now get the eye-popping flowers with this tough plant. Looking so much like a true Lupin, it also goes by another common name False Lupin. The plant grows  3-5 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. The ornamental foliage adds an artistic element to the garden. The plant’s seed pods are villous, meaning they have long, shaggy hairs, which is where the species name “villosa” comes from. A U.S. native perennial found in the eastern states. A host plant for the Wild Indigo Duskywing moth.

Carolina Lupin has a striking appearance that makes an interesting choice for adding interest to a garden bed. Use Carolina Lupin in wildflower gardens, meadows, borders, or cutting gardens. The plant is also drought-tolerant, not fussy about soil, and requires low maintenance.

Plant in the sun to part shade. Keep well watered when the plant is getting established and when the plant is setting up buds and blooming. Although tolerant of drought, for best results give deep soakings during long dry spells. Cut plants back a month after blooming to encourage another round of blossoms.