Common Name: Carolina lupine
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Fabaceae
Native Range: Southeastern United States
Zone: 4 to 9
Height: 3.00 to 5.00 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: July
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Drought, Dry Soil
Noteworthy Characteristics
Thermopsis villosa, commonly called Carolina lupine, is an upright, clump-forming perennial which is native to the Carolinas and Georgia. Typically grows 3-4' (less frequently to 5') tall. Features erect, dense, terminal, spike-like racemes of yellow, lupine-like flowers which bloom in early summer. Compound, trifoliate, grayish-green foliage (oval leaflets to 3" long). Seed pods are villous (having long, shaggy hairs), hence the species name. Thermopsis is often commonly called false lupine because of its similarity to the true lupines. This species was formerly called and is sometimes still sold as Thermopsis caroliniana.
Genus name comes from the Greek words thermos meaning lupin and opsis meaning like as the flower heads resemble yellow lupins.
Specific epithet means covered with soft hairs.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Wildflower gardens, meadows, borders or cutting gardens.