Lupins have grey green finger like foliage on soft stems that makes a backdrop to the stunning, upright spikes of cylindrical pea-style flowers that come in a wide variety of colours.
The spikes have tight buds at first which then open upwards - travelling up the spike, like a long balloon being blown up.
Reminiscent of the archetypal cottage garden, lupins make an excellent backdrop to a border but are always best planted en-masse.