Can you extend the flower life of Lupins?

Hi me again

does anyone know how to extend the flowering of the lupin?
because it spends all its time growing and then as soon as it reaches the top growth it begins to die off.
if you pull the petals off you just get left with seeds. or is this just the general flowering of the lupin?

thanks again

Will

 

I know that if you cut off the first flower stalks after they have finished flowering, you get a second crop of flowers, not quite so good as the first.