Description
Wild lupine (Lupinus perennis) is one of the most beloved wildflowers in eastern North America. May brings its purplish pea-like blossoms, followed by deep purple seed pods. As the pods dry, they twist to eject the shiny seeds.
Wild lupine flourishes in open, sandy savannas and will self-seed in the right habitat. While heavy soils offer a few years of delight, it tends to be a short-lived perennial in such situations. It’s quick-to-bloom from seed, so a bit of hand-sowing each year will ensure its longevity in your garden.
An ecosystem cornerstone, wild lupine supports diverse natives, from the larvae of the extremely rare Karner blue butterfly to the hummingbird clearwing moth and various bees and beetles.
Pair it with cleft phlox, fragrant sumac, Pen sedge, puccoon, and others.
IMPORTANT: Our guarantee is genuine Lupinus perennis var. occidentals, not the invasive western species (Lupinus polyphyllus) or hybrids. Our plants derive from seed sourced from within the heart of wild lupine’s native range.
Choose from plants and seeds. Seeds ship free! Tailored to Indiana dunes ecotype, they flourish across the Great Lakes region. Invest in your habitat with this iconic native.
Check out this great blogpost by Steve Sass and Amanda Smith of INNature.
