It is gray foliaged with small leaflets. There is some variation in color from plant to plant from good blues to purple blues and more or less contrast with the white. I have not grown the plant myself, so I requested comments from expert growers on Alpine-L , the Internet rock garden discussion group. What I report here is a composite of what was sent to me by Nina Lambert, Loren Russell, Anna Leggatt, Bob Nold, Anthony Goode, Rick Lupp, Ernie O'Byrne, and Franz Hadacek, each of whom responded. The only practical means of propagation is growing it from seed.
Seeds germinate readily, especially if one abrades or punctures the seed coat in advance of sowing.
The soil in which the plant is native is essentially volcanic ash, a mixture of coarse and fine particles. Those who have had some success with the plant have planted them in full sun in sand. The one person who had greatest success used pieces of lava in the mix. In its native environment Lupinus lepidus var. Like other legumes Lupinus lepidus var.