What is it?

Lupine

When you say lupine...do you mean like a normal lupin?

From the leaves it looks like some sort of vetch - same family as the lupins . I'd like to know what it is - I like it :o)

Hmmmm.........you're right Hywel. I didn't pay enough attention to the leaves. Vetch of some sort... maybe Winter Vetch???

Yes I've always called it a vetch because it looks like the hedgerow one from my childhood. It comes up every summer & flowers profusely.

the stems and leaves look at little like Jacob's ladder if you look closely. the flowers do look a bit like lupins though.

Looking good.

Is this what they call a tree lupin?

My mother used to grow lemon coloured ones