LUPINUS WC Polar Princess

Description and Characteristics

Lupinus Westcountry 'Polar Princess', part of the renowned Westcountry Series, is a premium lupin cultivar celebrated for its stately presence, pure white blooms, and impressive garden performance. Developed by Westcountry Nurseries in the UK, this variety produces tall, elegant spires of snow-white flowers, sometimes with a faint blush of cream or green, creating a luminous and serene effect in borders and cottage-style plantings.

'Polar Princess' is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial, typically growing to 90–100 cm in height and 40–60 cm in spread. It offers lush, deeply divided, palmate foliage at the base, with the flower spikes rising boldly above in late spring to early summer. As with all lupins, it is a magnet for bees, bumblebees, and butterflies, making it an essential plant in pollinator-friendly gardens.

• Tall spires of pristine white flowers on strong, upright stems

• Forms dense mounds of bright green palmate leaves

• Flowering time: late May to early July, with potential for rebloom

• Height: 90–100 cm; Spread: 40–60 cm

• Part of the Westcountry Series – bred for garden reliability and richer flowering

• Excellent for cottage gardens, white-themed borders, and pollinator plantings

Growing Conditions and Maintenance

Lupinus 'Polar Princess' performs best in full sun, with well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Like other lupins, it is relatively low-maintenance once established but benefits greatly from deadheading, light feeding, and good air circulation.

• Light Requirements:

  • Requires full sun (6+ hours daily) for best flowering and compact growth

  • Can tolerate light shade, though flowering may be less abundant

• Soil Preferences:

  • Prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soil, enriched with compost

  • Slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0–7.0) is ideal

  • Avoid heavy clay or overly alkaline soils unless improved

• Watering Needs:

  • Water regularly during the first season to establish roots

  • Once established, lupins are moderately drought-tolerant

  • Do not allow roots to sit in water—avoid soggy conditions

• Feeding:

  • Feed lightly in spring with a low-nitrogen fertiliser

  • Too much nitrogen may produce leafy growth at the expense of blooms

• Deadheading and Pruning:

  • Deadhead faded flower spikes immediately to encourage further blooms

  • In late autumn, cut back stems to ground level after foliage dies back naturally

  • Avoid cutting into living crown tissue in autumn

• Support:

  • Tall stems may require light staking in windy or exposed sites

  • Group plantings help support stems naturally and create dramatic displays

Design Applications, Companion Plants, and Pollinator Value

'Polar Princess' is ideal for gardeners seeking a refined, light-reflective lupin that fits into white gardens, formal layouts, or naturalistic designs. Its elegant shape and clean colour make it a versatile focal point or accent.

• Garden Design Uses:

  • Excellent for white borders, evening gardens, moonlight gardens, and cottage-style layouts

  • Creates contrast in bold colour borders and looks striking with blue, purple, or silver companions

  • Strong vertical structure works well as a focal point or in groupings for rhythm

• Companion Plants:

  • Pairs beautifully with delphiniums, foxgloves, salvia, veronica, and digitalis

  • Contrasts well with darker foliage plants like Heuchera or Ajuga

  • Combine with nepeta or lavender for a classic border feel

• Pollinator Benefits:

  • Excellent nectar plant for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies

  • A valuable early-summer forage plant in wildlife gardens

• Propagation and Lifespan:

  • Short-lived perennial (3–5 years); replant every few seasons

  • Propagate by basal cuttings in early spring or by seed (though seed may not come true to colour)

  • Avoid root disturbance once established

• Pests and Disease Considerations:

  • Susceptible to lupin aphid, especially in warm, humid periods

  • Watch for slugs and snails on new shoots

  • Ensure good airflow to reduce risk of mildew or leaf spot

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.