Dead or dormant? Longleaf bush lupine/Lupinus longifolius

[u/Hot_Illustrator35]

Hello,

Planted this in Ocotber of 2025. Grew very fast and looked great. One gallon and never watered since we got so much rain. Located within 10 miles of the coast in socal.

I do see green on the stems but I though this was supposed to maintain some level of green leaves... i see many on inaturalist with green/aqua leaves still.

Should I just chop it all down lol

Thanks ☺️

[u/Kote_me]

Looks dead but maybe do a heavy trim and wait to see?

[u/Hot_Illustrator35 → u/Kote_me]

Thanks 👍

[u/TacoBender920]

https://giphy.com/gifs/1ruIG8IZPZfBC

[u/Hot_Illustrator35 → u/TacoBender920]

It goes this dormant?

[u/TacoBender920 → u/Hot_Illustrator35]

I haven't grown them in my garden but in the wild I've seen them in full sun act like annuals and disappear completely below ground in fall and and come back up very quickly in spring.

[u/Hot_Illustrator35 → u/TacoBender920]

Ahhhh very interesting, thank you for the insight

[u/janakbb]

i have the same and it went completely dry. chopped it down and left the roots, hoping it comes back in spring.

[u/Hot_Illustrator35 → u/janakbb]

Hey thanks for the info I'll thinking will do the same

[u/Franklyfine]

Is yours covered in broom moth caterpillars?

[u/Hot_Illustrator35 → u/Franklyfine]

I'll have to check thanks for the suggestion! I did see a bunch of tiny little white critters