bout Plant Lupinus is an enormous genus of flowering plants, comprising hundreds of species. The colorful hybrid lupines most popular for gardens were mostly derived from Lupinus polyphyllus, a North American native, crossed with various other species, such as L. arboreus, and then developed into various multi-colored cultivars.The telltale look is a tall, showy spire of flowers that can come in a multitude of colors. The dense floral spikes of lupines may grace your flower garden in bold shades of purple, pink, red, white, and yellow. The foliage resembles palm leaves, with seven to 10 leaflet segments each.