How to prune lupine

Deadhead immediately after first flush (early summer); cut back to basal foliage after second flush; tidy to ground in autumn. Cut the entire spent flower spike cleanly to its base at the basal leaves using secateurs — do not leave a stump. After the second flush is complete, cut all flowering stems back to the rosette of basal foliage. In autumn, cut the whole plant to a few inches above ground once foliage has died back.

Deadhead after each flush (typically twice per season); annual autumn cutback. Lupines respond well to deadheading. Cut spent flower spikes back to the base of the spike once flowers fade — this can trigger a second, smaller flush of blooms in summer. After the second flush, cut back the entire flowering stem to basal foliage. In autumn, cut plants down to ground level after foliage dies back. Divide congested clumps every 3–4 years.

Cut the entire spent flower spike cleanly to its base at the basal leaves using secateurs — do not leave a stump. After the second flush is complete, cut all flowering stems back to the rosette of basal foliage. In autumn, cut the whole plant to a few inches above ground once foliage has died back.