Rachel de Thame & Lee Bestall with Lupin ‘Rachel de Thame’
This Westcountry Lupin was planted in our garden at the Chelsea Flower Show 2017 to represent the early phase of colour change that the apple blossom buds undergo as they open.
The planting on the perimeter of the garden began with the striking pink Lupins. It then faded through the soft candy pink of Rosa ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’ and finally to the white foxgloves Digitalis purpurea alba.
The Rose had such a beautiful soft pink colour and a highly scented flower. A traditional English scented rose with great disease resistance and available from David Austin (although not bred by them)
Lupins are tolerant of poor soil as they actually have the ability to add nutrients back in as they grow. The plant grows to around 70-90cm in height and each of the flower spikes is jammed with bicolour flowers. The heads are monsters and can grow up to 15cm wide! Flower spikes will be produced in the first year alone and the plant boasts plenty of lush green foliage. Watch out for slugs, but seems to be deer and rabbit resistant.
A perennial which attracts plenty of bees and excellent for cutting.
