Wild Lupine - Lupinus perennis

A gorgeous blue-spired welcome to early summer, Wild Lupine is the perfect addition to a sandy, acidic site but will not survive in clay or alkaline conditions. It makes a pretty pairing with Lance leaf Coreopsis and Prairie Smoke for an early pop of color in the garden, where its low growing palmate foliage is an eye-catching contrast to these companion plants. Due to habitat loss, Wild Lupine is fairly rare in our area. It is a critical host plant for the endangered Karner Blue butterfly, and plays an important role in sustaining several other butterfly species as well. Hummingbirds like it; deer do not! Under the right conditions, these plants can be very long-lived. Height: 1 to 2-1/2 ft tall Bloom time: late Spring, early Summer Light: Full to part sun Moisture: Mesic (Occasional ponding in a rain garden) to dry Soil conditions: acidic, containing sand or sandy loam Description and photo courtesy of IllinoisWildflowers.org