Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my Lupine

Lupine is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of sowing directly into poor soil as rich soil encourages weeds in the early stages and paid for it. rabbits and slugs targeting young seedlings also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a roadside or verge planting in a community space which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. wide seasonal succession from spring to autumn is visible but muted. peak flowering from early to midsummer gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.