Wildlife value of Lupine — an unexpected bonus

I planted Lupine primarily for ornamental reasons. What I didn't anticipate was the wildlife it would attract. naturalistic aesthetic that suits modern ecological gardens seems to be particularly appealing to bees and butterflies during the main growing period.

I grow it in a container with a meadow mix for a balcony which allows me to watch the activity up close. early spring bulbs and annual seedling germination is the most active period for wildlife visits. avoiding any fertiliser which would favour grasses over flowers is important for keeping the plant healthy enough to flower well and provide that value. annual weed competition overwhelming slow-establishing flowers is the thing to watch — it reduces flowering and therefore wildlife visits if left unchecked. A plant that earns its place twice over.