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Big Bend Bluebonnet

Lupinus havardii

Other common name(s):

Big Bend Lupine, Havard Bluebonnet, Chisos Bluebonnet

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts
Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

3
to
6
ft.

Spread

2
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Annual

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Gravelly, Limestone

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Blue, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Forage, Nectar, Larval Host, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Deer, Hummingbirds, Bees

Maintenance

Low maintenance, drought tolerant. The tallest of the Bluebonnets, looks gorgeous when planted in mass. Thrives in full sun in gravelly, sandy,, dry, well-drained soil. Excellent for flower borders, prairies and meadows. Propagate by seed in the fall. The plants need to overwinter to bloom. Any xeric, native or high desert garden, cactus garden or xeristrip is an ideal. Prune out any dead wood in early spring. No other pruning should be necessary. Propagation: Seeds.

Comments

Blooms February-April. Much taller than most bluebonnets, this bluebonnet grows 1-3 ft. high with the flowers on the upper 4-8 inches of the stem. The flowers of this winter annual are very deep blue with a lemon blotch. Palmate leaves are divided into seven leaflets. Warning: Plants in the genus Lupinus, especially the seeds, can be toxic to humans and animals if ingested. Larval Host: Sulphurs.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski, Sally and Wasowski, Andy, Native Texas Plants, Landscaping Region by Region, 1988, 1991, pg 158. 3) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48, 53. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=11280&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LUHA, 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=26025#null, 7) https://www.gardenia.net/plant/lupinus-havardii, 8) http://www.highplainsgardening.com/plant-profiles/leucophyllum-minus

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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