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Blue-violet
Perennial wildflower

Wild Lupine

Lupinus perennis

The sole host plant of the endangered Karner blue butterfly, thriving in poor sandy soil.

the Northeastthe Mid-Atlanticthe Southeastthe Midwest

Growing Wild Lupine

Demands sharp drainage and resents transplanting — start from seed sown where it will grow. Fixes its own nitrogen, so never fertilize. It’s deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, and a nitrogen-fixer.

Where it grows

Wild Lupine is native to the Northeast. In the wild you’ll find it across Alabama · Arkansas · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kentucky and 24 more states. Always confirm it suits your specific county with your state native plant society before planting.

Regional Garden shows Wild Lupine on 34 state pages.

Good for

Sourcing

Where to buy Wild Lupine

Seeds & live plants on Amazon

Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.

Browse on Amazon

Some links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.

Plant it with

Companions & kin.

Natives that share Wild Lupine’s range and conditions.

Perennial wildflower

Blue Vervain

Verbena hastata

Candelabras of tiny violet flowers for wet ground, working for small native bees all summer.

  • Full–part sun
  • Average–wet
  • 3–5 ft
  • Blooms Jul–Sep
Perennial wildflower

Culver's Root

Veronicastrum virginicum

Elegant white candelabra spires that bring vertical structure and a haze of bees to midsummer.

  • Full–part sun
  • Average–wet
  • 3–5 ft
  • Blooms Jun–Aug
Perennial wildflower

Dense Blazing Star

Liatris spicata

Vertical wands of magenta that open top-down and pull in every swallowtail in the neighborhood.

  • Full sun
  • Average–wet
  • 2–4 ft
  • Blooms Jul–Aug
Perennial wildflower

Showy Goldenrod

Solidago speciosa

Upright golden candles that anchor the fall garden — and no, goldenrod doesn't cause hay fever.

  • Full–part sun
  • Dry–average
  • 2–4 ft
  • Blooms Sep–Oct