silvery lupine
Lupinus argenteus
silvery lupine (Lupinus argenteus) is a Colorado-native perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 12 to 36 in tall and 6 to 24 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Fire-wise zone 1-2 perennial; CSU 6.305 score 8.0 of 10.
Colorado nativeOn the CSFS firewise listlow to medium water12 to 36 in tall and 6 to 24 in wideXeric / water-wiseLow ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 8/10
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Jay Brasher, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 3: (c) Whitney Brook Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 5: no rights reserved
- Photo 6: Stan Shebs, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4 to 8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 12 to 36 in tall and 6 to 24 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~17 to 24 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Bloom color
- blue
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- shortgrass prairie, foothills
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Low ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 8/10
Planting & establishment
Deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is silvery lupine good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, silvery lupine is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does silvery lupine get?
- It matures to about 12 to 36 in tall and 6 to 24 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant silvery lupine?
- Space silvery lupine about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is silvery lupine hardy on the Front Range?
- silvery lupine is hardy in USDA 4 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does silvery lupine need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is silvery lupine native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is silvery lupine a good firewise plant near the house?
- silvery lupine is rated 8 of 10 in CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), where higher means less ignitable, so it can go within 0 to 5 feet of the house as well as out to 30 feet when kept watered and tidy. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does silvery lupine bloom?
- silvery lupine blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
