Lupines haven't done well at all for me here. But, sucker that I am, I'm going to try again this year. I do have a neighbor who has beautiful lupines. She also has the money to hire a full-time gardener all summer, so I'm guessing her soil is better quality than mine!

'Bout a season - if you're lucky

You might want to try species lupines-lupinus perennis might do better for you than the Russell type hybrids. They are not generally a long lived plant, but may self sow if happy.