PlantFiles: Wild Lupine, Sundial Lupine
Lupinus perennis

My Lupine's were gorgeous this year about 4 feet high the other not near as high maybe 2 feet will try to down load a picture of the American finches playing on one. Have been trying to get these to grow for a few years finally paid off...

Planted in a wildflower seed packet and it keeps coming back. Now has reseeded all over. It looks lush and beautiful until late summer, then I cut it to the ground and get some fresh growth. Grows in sun, part shade, dry, and watered parts of garden. I like it better than the Russell lupines--has a more airy, wildflower look about it.

Not cool summer nights - more like sandy soil but also need thin veg cover to reseed itself

I purchased 2 plants from Gardensoftheblueridge.com The plants arrived about 3 days after I placed my order and were very healthy. They were reasonably priced and larger than I'd expected for the price. I orderd gallon pots. They should work well in my yard that used to be a pine barren, since that is where they would naturally occur. They are the host plant for the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly caterpillar.

I was able to start indoors in Feb. (in 4 in pots) and plant outside after last frost. A few will flower in the first year, but most take 2-3 years to flower.

The seed of many lupin species contain bitter-tasting toxic alkaloids, though there are often sweet varieties within that species that are completely wholesome. Taste is a very clear indicator. These toxic alkaloids can be leeched out of the seed by soaking it overnight and discarding the soak water. It may also be necessary to change the water once during cooking. Fungal toxins also readily invade the crushed seed and can cause chronic illness.

This is a very showy and beautiful plant. It however has some very restrictive habitat requirements. It requires dry sites, usually sandy soil and cool summer nights. If you do not have these conditions where you are planting it, don't waste your time, effort or money.