The Wonderfully Wild Lupine

Lupinus perennis, also known as wild lupine, is a beautiful flowering plant that grows well in dry, sandy soils and is native to the eastern part of the United States. This perennial plant used to grow abundantly in the north-eastern parts of the country but its numbers have been in rapid decline since the early 1900s. It's estimated that up to 90% of the lupine population has been eradicated mainly due to habitat loss. Don't let these beauties disappear, consider adding them to your garden this year!

Wild lupine is known for its pea-shaped flowers that grow on a short stock and bloom in late spring and early summer. Lupine is the only host plant for the rare Karner Blue butterfly, which is currently an endangered species. This plant needs well drained, dry or sandy soil but can adapt and live in areas where many other plants struggle. 

In Latin, lupinus actually means wolfish and like the wolf that often takes from the fold, the wild lupine was once thought to leach mineral content from soil. Lupine can be found in barren spots with poor soils, so it was assumed that these delicate flowers had taken nutrients from the soil so no other plants could cohabitate with them.  The reality is they can live in such places because the bacteria in their roots removes nitrogen from the air, fixes it inside the plant and supplies nitrogen fertilizer that the soil lacks. 

These plants are low maintenance, don't require a lot of care after planting and are perfect for adding a splash of color to your garden!