Culture: Grow in organically rich, moderately fertile, slightly acidic, evenly moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Best flowering is in full sun, but plants appreciate some light afternoon shade in hot summer areas. Good air circulation helps combat powdery mildew. Purchase potted plants in spring or start from seed. Treating roots with a legume inoculant improves plant performance. Plants grow well in the cool summers of the West coast, Pacific Northwest, northern U. S., southern Canada and New England. Plants dislike the heat and humidity in USDA Zones 7-9 in the deep South where they may be best grown as annuals. Apply mulch around plants to help keep root zones cool. Deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage additional bloom, maintain plant vigor and prevent unwanted self-seeding. Hybrid lupines may be grown from seed purchased from seed companies, but will not come true from seed in the garden. Propagate from sideshoot cuttings in late spring to early summer.
Noteworthy Characteristics: Many of the wild lupines (species plants) do not perform particularly well as ornamentals in home gardens. On the other hand, a large number of hybrid lupines have been developed over the years specifically for use as ornamentals. These hybrids have become extremely popular cool summer perennials whose one major black mark is an inability to perform in geographic areas featuring hot summer temperatures. The Russell Hybrids are perhaps the most popular named hybrid group in commerce today. They were developed by English gardener George Russell in the early 1900s. Plants typically grow to 3-4’ tall and feature huge erect spikes (racemes to 1-2’ tall) of densely-packed pea-like flowers that bloom from late spring to early/mid summer on stiff stems rising from clumps of palmate compound green leaves (each with 9-16 leaflets). Dwarf hybrids (e.g., L. ‘Dwarf Lulu’, L.‘Minarette’ and Gallery Hybrids) that grow to only 1.5-2’ tall are also available. Hybrid flower colors include shades of blue, purple, violet, yellow, pink, red, white and bicolors.
Genus name comes from the classical name. Supposed to be derived from lupus meaning a wolf because of the completely erroneous belief that these plants destroyed the fertility of the soil.
Problems: Slugs and snails may attack young plants. Powdery mildew and aphids can be troublesome to the point where cutting plants back close to the ground to regrow becomes a viable option. Taller plants may need staking or other support.
Garden Uses: Borders.
All plant information courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden
Sundial Lupine blooms profusely in racemes with pea-like blue & purple flowers. Palm-shaped leaves surround the plant as an added attraction, making it a popular choice for gardens or restorations with dry, sandy soils. Lupine requires well-drained soils but will adapt to most dry soil types; sand. loam, and gravel. You can find lupine in oak savannas, sand prairies, and pine barrens plant communities. Lupine foliage can look a little worn by the end of summer, so plan for late summer and fall bloomers nearby in the garden.
This legume is the only host plant for the Karner Blue butterfly, an endangered species native to the Great Lakes region. After Sundial Lupine emerges in spring, the first brood of the Karner Blue Butterfly will hatch from eggs laid the previous summer and feed on the new leaves for 3-4 weeks. Once the caterpillars pupate and emerge as butterflies, they only live for a week or two. During this time, they will mate, and lay eggs of the second and final brood of the season. The second brood will hatch in summer, and lay eggs that will lay dormant through the winter and hatch the following spring.
*We recently changed the name “Wild Lupine” to “Sundial Lupine – Lupinus perennis subsp. perennis” to differentiate it from Lupinus polyphyllus – Western Lupine, also commonly called Wild Lupine. Western Lupine is NOT a larval host plant for the endangered Karner Blue, but unfortunately it has been labeled as such and has infiltrated the native seed market, behaving aggressively in Midwest and Northeast climates and hybridizing with L.perennis. L. polyphyllus has 11–17 leaflets and may reach up to 5″ long whereas L. perennis leaves are smaller and have less leaflets: 7-11 leaflets that reach about 2″ in length.
The seedpods explode when the seed is ripe, aiding in distribution. Birds and small mammals will feed on the seeds.
Species of genus Lupinus are legumes. Most legume species harbor beneficial bacteria called rhizobia on their roots. Genus-specific strains of this bacterium called inoculum can aid in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen and improve long-term health of native plant communities. Inoculum is naturally-occurring in most soils and additional amendment is usually not needed. However, in low fertility soils it may be necessary.
Price range: $6.00 through $12.00
