Lupinus perennis, known as Perennial Lupine, Wild Lupine, and Sundial Lupine, has a wide native range across the Eastern and Midwestern US. This Lupine species thrives in sunny areas, including black oak sand savannas, sand prairies, and pine barrens.
Perennial Lupine needs well-drained soil, and can grow in sandy, loamy, or gravelly sites, but will struggle in clay soil. They’re often paired with Daisies, Peonies, and Irises for early season color in gardens, and they pair beautifully with native Coreopsis, Rudbeckias, Coneflowers, and grasses for continual blooms as the season goes on.
This species is the sole larval host plant for the Karner Blue Butterfly, a federally endangered species with remaining populations in New Hampshire, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio. Because our seed is produced through open pollination, even with industry-standard best practices we cannot fully rule out that some cross-pollination with other lupine varieties may occasionally occur.
To help protect Karner Blue Butterfly habitat, we do not recommend planting Lupinus perennis from seed in the following active recovery states: NY, NH, IN, IL, OH, MN, WI, MI or Ontario, Canada.
Why We Love Lupines
Thanks to their stunning flower spikes, Lupines have been cherished for centuries, adding a vibrant touch to formal gardens, cottage gardens, naturalistic gardens, and wildflower meadows alike.
As a plant in the legume family, Lupines are nitrogen fixers, making the nutrient more available to surrounding plants.
Lupines grow well alongside grasses and other wildflowers, creating a beautiful tapestry of colors and textures.
In gardens, they make excellent companions to plants like Irises, Daisies, Peonies, and Coneflowers, which complement their striking blooms and lush foliage.
There are numerous Lupine species with native ranges across the United States, each bringing its own charm to meadows and landscapes.
