Sundial Lupine
Lupinus perennis
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
cassi saari
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Lupinus
- Species:
- Lupinus perennis
- USDA Symbol:
- LUPE3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple, pink, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Anacampsis lupinella, Double-Striped Prominent (Caenurgina crassiuscula), Eastern Tailed-Blue (Everes comyntas), 🛑Frosted Elfin (Incisalia irus), Melissa Blue (Lycaeides melissa), Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), ⚠️Persius duskywing (Erynnis persius), Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black and (Bombus auricomus), Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow bumble (Bombus fervidus) Butterflies:Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus), Plebejus samuelis
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, Karner blue butterfly larvae
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from deep taproot following fire. Fire reduces competition and exposes mineral soil, benefiting establishment. Historically associated with fire-maintained oak savannas and pine barrens.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Scarification (nicking or soaking in hot water) greatly improves germination. Cold stratification for 30-60 days recommended after scarification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Scarify, then cold-moist stratify for 60 days.
Notes: Seeds may require light for germination.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. If no germination in 3 months, try 4C 1-2 months, then 20C again. Resents transplanting. | Requires scarification. | Requires soaking 24-48 hrs; discard floaters.