Staircase Orange and White Lupine

Staircase Orange and White Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus 'Staircase Orange and White')

Staircase Orange and White Lupine, Lupinus polyphyllus 'Staircase Orange and White', is a striking perennial lupine that sends up tall, candle like spires of orange and white bicolor flowers above a lush mound of fresh green, hand shaped foliage. Blooming in late spring to early summer, each vertical spike looks like a small staircase of color, with buds opening from the base upward to create a layered blend of warm tones and clean white. The dense clump of foliage shades the soil, frames surrounding perennials, and gives beds a finished look, while the vivid flower spikes draw in bees and butterflies and serve as a bold focal point in cooler, sunny gardens.

Distinctive Features

Staircase Orange and White 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 provide strong texture even before flower stalks appear. Each upright spike is densely packed with pea like blossoms that open in sequence from the bottom to the top, so buds, half open florets, and fully open flowers often show together for an extended display. Color on the flower spikes ranges through warm orange, apricot, and creamy white, creating a vivid yet harmonious look that reads clearly from a distance and pairs beautifully with blues, purples, whites, and silver foliage in early summer borders. With good drainage and consistent care, plants can settle in and return for several seasons, often sending up more flowering stems as the crown matures.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Prefers full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light daily and will tolerate 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 locations where the crown may rot.
• Water: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish deep roots; 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 perennial lupines are commonly grown, particularly 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, producing more flowering stems as the plant becomes established.

Ideal Uses

• Mixed Perennial Borders: Combine with catmint, salvia, Shasta daisies, and ornamental grasses to create layered plantings with strong vertical accents and warm, eye catching color.
• Cottage and Pollinator Gardens: Pair with foxgloves, delphiniums, and roses in informal borders where the blossoms support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
• Early Summer Color Blocks: Plant in small groups or drifts to create bold towers of orange and white at the middle of beds as the season gets going.
• Path and Seating Backdrops: Use along garden paths or near benches and patios so visitors can enjoy 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, colorful 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 sturdy plants.
• Pruning: Deadhead spent flower spikes promptly by cutting them back to the foliage to keep the clump neat 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 that encourages 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 Staircase Orange and White Lupine?

• Bold Bicolor Flower Spikes: Warm orange and white blooms create dramatic, eye catching accents that stand out in early summer borders.
• Attractive Foliage: Deeply divided, palmate leaves form a full, textured mound that keeps beds looking lush even when plants are between bloom cycles.
• Pollinator Friendly: Nectar rich blossoms support bees and butterflies, bringing movement and life to the garden.
• Garden Friendly Size: Medium height and tidy habit fit comfortably into most borders, narrow beds, and cut flower plantings.
• Design Flexibility: With its upright structure, warm color palette, and strong presence, Staircase Orange and White Lupine is a simple way to add seasonal interest, vertical structure, and a natural focal point to mixed borders, cottage gardens, and sunny perennial plantings.

With its tall orange and white flower spikes, lush green foliage, and pollinator friendly bloom, Staircase Orange and White Lupine is an excellent choice for bringing early summer color, vertical structure, and lively garden presence to sunny beds, cottage style borders, and mixed perennial displays.