Weird Black things on Lupine plants?

Question

Ive put in a new English cottage country type garden this year and I used some pretty Lupine plants. They flowered and they were great. Then the flowering stalks went and turned black and seeded. The seed stalks were so ugly and freakish.

Question is: Am I supposed to cut the seed stalks down before or after they seed? I did let them go because I wanted the seeds. But is it ok to cut the freaky black stalks down after the seed?

Also can anyone suggest a good follow-on plant to use in the garden. Something that is fairly tall and willowy and blooms later than the Lupine - perhaps Monarda (bee-balm) or Coneflower? Im in New England, btw.

Thanks so much!!

Answer 1

Cutting down the stalks & cleaning up will help prevent fungus problems.

The coneflower is an excellent idea. Did you know they come in several new colors? The Monarda often gets mildew & become unsightly.
Black-Eye Susans (Rudbeckia) & many of these flowers typically starts up in midsummer and keeps going until frost: Butterfly Bush (buddleia ), Achillea (Yarrow), Coreopsis, Verbena, Blue sage, Salvia, Maltese Cross, Honesty (Lunaria), Lavender, Daylilies, & Russian Sage.

Veronica (Speedwell),hardy Geraniums, Dianthus,Delphinum, Gaillardia, & Shasta daisy, are shorter but they can be put in the front of the taller plants for variety.

In the fall, Asters,& Chrysanthemums entend the color. The beautiful Helen's flower (Helenium autumnale) stands proud & tall from August til frost:http://www.flickr.com/photos/innusa/27879043/
Roses would be great too. Some bloom all summer.

Here's an article on how someone else started her English Garden (her Hydrangea & roses are beautiful):
http://cbs2chicago.com/growyourgarden/local_story_231181005.html
I hope you enjoy watching the video & get some ideas from it, too. (I had to click both "Wild English Garden Blooms In Evanston Yard" & "Click to Play video" )
Good luck! Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Yes, go ahead and cut the seed stalks down. I simply shake mine anywhere I'd like to see lupine in future years.

Monarda, coneflower, garden phlox, daisy, and coreopsis are all later-flowering, and would be good additions to a cottage garden.