Sundial Lupine (Lupinus perennis)

Sundial Lupine (Lupinus perennis)

Sundial Lupine is one of the most iconic spring-blooming natives in the Upper Midwest. Its upright spikes of soft blue to violet flowers rise above a distinctive mound of palmate leaves, one of the few native plants with foliage this sculptural. The blooms appear in late spring, often in mass, giving off a gentle vibrancy that feel energetic. It's a defining plant in oak savannas and sandy prairies, where it thrives in dry, lean soils with plenty of sunlight.

In southeastern Wisconsin, Lupinus perennis is essential for supporting the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly, whose caterpillars feed exclusively on its leaves. It's important to note that cultivated lupine varieties, like the Russel hybrids often sold in big garden centers, easily cross pollinates with the native species. The resulting seeds produce hybrid offspring that are unusable to the Karner Blue. Adult butterflies may still lay their eggs on these hybrid plants, but the caterpillars can’t digest the leaves and will starve. Over time, this dilutes the lupine population and creates entire patches of it that no longer function ecologically, even though they look the part. For those restoring habitat or hoping to support wildlife, planting only the straight native species (Lupinus perennis) is essential.

Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to light shade
Soil: Dry, sandy or gravelly, well-drained soils
Height: 1–2 feet
Spread: 1–2 feet
Zones: 3–8
Bloom time: May through June

Wildlife Value
Host plant for the federally endangered Karner Blue Butterfly. Its flowers attract a variety of bees, especially bumblebees and specialist species. As a legume, it also contributes to soil health by fixing nitrogen, benefiting neighboring plants in challenging soils.

Blooms Alongside:
Pasque Flower (Anemone patens var. wolfgangiana), Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum), Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea), Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus), Prairie Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata) and Lance Leaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis Lanceolata)