Wild Lupine

(12-36" tall x 10-18" wide) Wild Lupine adds a memorable element to the late spring garden with showy clusters of blue-purple flowers that rise above its palm-shaped leaves. Favored by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, this low maintenance perennial is also the host plant for the endangered Karner Blue butterfly, which is native to the Great Lakes region. A member of the pea or legume family, Wild Lupine fixes nitrogen in the soil, enhancing the availability of this vital nutrient. Wild Lupine is native to much of the Midwest and Eastern North America, including states along the Gulf Coast. Plant in a sun to part shade location in dry, sandy soils with good drainage, where so many other plants fail (avoid clay). Once established it is a drought-tolerant, hardy perennial. Interestingly, as the seed pods of the lupine dry out, they explode, ejecting their seeds at a distance, creating beautiful masses of spring flowers. Plant wild lupine with other spring bloomers such as Oriental Poppy, Iris, Columbine, Peonies, and mid-to-late spring blooming bulbs. Suitable for zones 3-8.