Lupins - foliage

Purpleandpinks

Hello!

So I planted my first lupins this year and they put on a good display. The problem is the foliage looks really bad now - is this normal? Should I cut back or dig up and replace with something else? One doesn't look as bad but the rest look awful. Thank you! 

punkdoc

Lupin foliage often looks terrible in late summer. I treat the plants as biennials, sowing new seed each year in June, with the new plants being planted out the following Spring.

Loxley

My mum's lupins got covered in mildew and aphids... I cut the foliage right back to the base. It formed a clump of healthy new foliage after a few weeks. 

Lyn

I keep my Lupins for years, the clumps are about 3’ across now,  cut the leaves right down to the ground now. 

Purpleandpinks

Thanks everyone! By down to the ground, is that literally right to the ground or with a few cms above? I'm a beginner, can you tell?! 

debs64

My lupus are covered with aphids but I noticed lots of ladybirds 🐞 on them so have left them. They do look awful but hopefully they are fattening up the ladybirds! 

Janie B

Mine are the same! I love the lupins, but hate the late summer foliage. Next year, I've vowed to plant some annuals in amongst the dying foliage once the lupins are over.... I planted some salvia viridis Blue Monday seeds this spring, that have become lovely plants... they may fit the bill. 

Janie B