This herbaceous rhizomatous perennial has upright stems with little branching and forms a compact rounded habit. It has divided dark green leaves and the small bright yellow pea-shaped flowers appear in a upright cluster above the foliage during spring.

Hardiness zones 3 to 9 

Thermopsis villosa is naturally found in North America from north Carolina to Georgia growing in open forests in the mountains and appearing in clearings. 

It prefers an open sunny position and grows in well-drained humus rich moist soils that tending acidic with a pH 5-6.8. It is frost and drought tolerant but requires some moisture during the dry periods.

 The Carolina Lupin is grown for its bushy habit and yellow flowers.  It is planted long garden borders or as a specimen in large rockeries. It is suitable for coastal and low-mountain regions establishing in 3-4 years but may be short lived. It is also grown in courtyard planter boxes or patio pots and requires little care once established. This perennial dislikes crowding in a garden bed preferring ample room to grow. ID 3556

Thermopsis (ther-MOP-sis)  villosa (vil-OH-sah)

Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)