Manhattan Lights Lupine

Manhattan Lights Lupine (Lupinus 'Westcountry Manhattan Lights')

Manhattan Lights Lupine, Lupinus 'Westcountry Manhattan Lights', is a dramatic perennial lupine that sends up tall, candle like spires packed with bicolor blooms in rich purple and warm yellow above a fresh green mound of hand shaped foliage. In late spring to early summer, each sturdy spike looks almost painted, with deep violet buds opening to soft golden flowers that glow in mixed borders and cottage style plantings. The dense clump of foliage fills in quickly, shading the soil and framing neighboring perennials, while the colorful flower spikes attract bees and butterflies and serve as an instant focal point in cooler, sunny gardens.

Distinctive Features

Manhattan Lights Lupine typically grows about 24 to 36 inches tall in bloom and 18 to 24 inches wide, forming a rounded clump of deeply divided, palmate leaves that give the plant a full, textured look even before flowering. Flower spikes are densely packed with pea like blossoms that open from the base upward, so buds, half open flowers, and fully open blooms often appear together for a long lasting display. The striking combination of purple and yellow on each spike reads clearly from a distance and pairs beautifully with blues, whites, silvers, and softer pinks in early summer borders. In regions with cooler summers and well drained soil, plants can settle in and return for several seasons, especially when spent spikes are removed promptly and crowns are kept out of heavy winter wet.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Prefers full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light daily, and can handle very light afternoon shade in hotter climates.
• Soil: Grows best in well drained, moderately fertile soil that is slightly acidic to neutral; avoid heavy, poorly drained spots where crowns may rot.
• Water: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system; once established, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy, allowing the surface to dry slightly between deep waterings.
• Hardiness: Well suited to many temperate regions where lupines are commonly grown, especially areas with cooler summers and good air movement.
• Size: Typically reaches about 24 to 36 inches tall in bloom and 18 to 24 inches wide at maturity, depending on climate, soil, and care.
• Growth Rate: Moderate grower that often bulks up by the second season, sending up more flowering stems as the crown matures.

Ideal Uses

• Mixed Perennial Borders: Combine with catmint, salvia, Shasta daisies, and ornamental grasses for layered plantings with bold vertical accents and rich, blended color.
• Cottage and Pollinator Gardens: Pair with foxgloves, delphiniums, and roses in informal borders where the bicolor spikes support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
• Early Summer Color Blocks: Plant in small groups or drifts to create concentrated bursts of purple and yellow at the front or middle of beds just as many perennials are coming into bloom.
• Path and Seating Backdrops: Use alongside garden paths or near benches and patios so visitors can appreciate the flower spikes and visiting pollinators at close range.
• Cut Flower Gardens: Grow near cutting rows and harvest stems when the lower third of each spike is open for tall, eye catching additions to fresh arrangements.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: After establishment, water during extended dry periods with deep, occasional soakings rather than frequent light sprinklings to encourage deep roots and sturdier plants.
• Pruning: Deadhead spent flower spikes promptly by cutting them back to the foliage to tidy the clump and encourage side shoots and possible repeat bloom.
• Fertilizing: In early spring, apply a light dose of balanced, slow release fertilizer or a thin layer of compost if soil is lean; avoid heavy nitrogen, which can favor foliage at the expense of flowers.
• Mulching: Apply a light layer of organic mulch around, but not on top of, the crown to help conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature while keeping the base of the plant open to air.
• Seasonal Care: In late fall, cut back spent stems once they have browned, and in colder climates consider a loose mulch over the root zone to buffer freeze and thaw cycles, thinning it in early spring as new growth emerges.

Why Choose Manhattan Lights Lupine?

• Bold Bicolor Flower Spikes: Striking purple and yellow blooms add dramatic, eye catching color and height to early summer borders.
• Attractive Foliage: Deeply divided, palmate leaves form a full, textured mound that looks good even between bloom cycles.
• Pollinator Friendly: Nectar rich blossoms support bees and butterflies, bringing movement and life to the garden.
• Compact, Garden Friendly Size: Medium height and rounded habit fit easily into most borders and dedicated cut flower beds.
• Design Versatility: With its showy bicolor spikes, upright structure, and ability to pair with many classic perennials, Manhattan Lights Lupine is an easy way to add drama, seasonal interest, and a natural focal point to mixed borders, cottage gardens, and sunny perennial plantings.

With its tall purple and yellow flower spikes, rich green foliage, and pollinator friendly bloom, Manhattan Lights Lupine is an excellent choice for bringing early summer color, vertical structure, and lively garden interest to sunny beds, cottage style borders, and mixed perennial displays.