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Lupinus perennis subsp. perennis Sundial Lupine

$3.50 - $30.00
Lupinus perennis subsp. perennis

Sundial Lupine

$3.50 - $30.00

Packet
$3.50
1/8 oz.
$7.50
1/4 oz.
$12.00
1/2 oz.
$19.50
1 oz.
$30.00

3 Pack
Out of Stock
Tray of 32
Out of Stock

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. Read more about the Karner Blue butterfly here!

*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.perennisL. polyphyllus has 11–17 leaflets and may reach up to 5" across while L. perennis leaves are smaller and have less leaflets, 7-11 leaflets that reach about 2" in length.

When ripe, the seedpod explodes aiding in distribution. Birds and small mammals will feed on the seeds. Check out this cool video of our Lupine seed harvest!

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. Genus-specific strains are available at prairiemoon.com/inoculum

Live Plant Shipping Table

Spring Fall Age/Size
Dormant Bare Roots
N/A October 1 year
Potted 3-Packs May/June August/September 2.5" wide x 3.5" deep pots

Details

Seeds/Packet
40
Seeds/Ounce
1,100
Germination Code
C(10)
H
I
Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Exposure
Full, Partial
Soil Moisture
Medium-Dry, Dry
Height
2 feet
Bloom Time
May, June, July
Bloom Color
Purple
Advantages
Pollinator Favorite: butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, beetles
Bird Favorite: seeds, insects, fruit, nectar, nesting, perch
Highly recommended for home landscaping
USDA Zones
3-8
Plant Spacing
10-18"
Catalog Code
LUP02F