Lupinus (Lupinus) – an ornamental-agricultural plant that grows up to 1.5 m in height and has a powerful root system capable of penetrating to a depth of 2 m. Flowers of various shades: blue-violet, blue, cream, white, yellow, red, and purple, making it a popular choice for flower beds and garden compositions. Leaves are palmate, long, decorative, and often slightly hairy. Lupinus blooms for 30 days during the May-June period; after cutting flower stalks, it can bloom again in August. From the second year of growth, the plant usually begins to be fertilized with non-nitrogen fertilizers with high potassium and phosphorus content, which maintains the brightness and duration of flowering.
In addition to decorative value, lupin is an important feed and green manure crop. The grain contains 38–42% protein with all essential amino acids, making it an effective component of compound feeds. It is grown mainly on sandy and loamy soils, has a high nitrogen-fixing ability – up to 200 kg/ha of biological nitrogen. Maintaining plant health includes treatment with fungicides and herbicides, as well as control of diseases: fusarium, anthracnose, ceratophorosis, gray rot, powdery mildew, and viral infections.
For garden cultivation, lupin is recommended to be planted in groups in sunny places with slightly alkaline or slightly acidic soil. After flowering in September-October, the root suckers are divided and transplanted to maintain the intensity of growth and flowering. Pruning leaves in the autumn period reduces the risk of damage during cold weather; in strong wind, plants can be tied to supports, as they are quite fragile. Thus, lupin combines unique decorativeness with useful agronomic properties, making it valuable for both gardeners and agricultural producers.
