Sundial Wild Lupine

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2-3 Feet

Mature Spread

1 Foot

Growing Zones

3 to 8

Sundial is a native Lupine in the Northwest of the UNited States. This native has successfully naturalized in many parts of North America and could easily be at home in your garden. The pale lavender blue flowers rise up in great masses above the medium green long-lived foliage. Sundial is very impressive when planted in large groups as part of a meadow planting or in the sunniest spot in a Cottage Garden.

Sundial Wild Lupine is a true herbaceous perennial. It dies back completely in the winter and emerges early in the spring with strong stout leaf stems. Native Lupines are great wildlife attractors, providing nectar from the flowers and seeds later in the summer. The lush foliage also gives small animals and birds needed shelter in the garden. Lupines are naturally deer and rabbit resistant and have very few pests and diseases.

Sundial Wild Lupine Care

All lupines require a soil that has excellent drainage while being moisture retentive. Using an annual mulch of organic compost or leaves will help your soil to achieve this. A site in full sun that has average to sandy soil is perfect for Lupine to produce its largest blooms. Native plants tend to not need much supplemental fertilization and in  the case of Lupine,  extra fertilizing is not recommended. In fact, Lupinus is in the Legume family which also includes peas and beans. Legumes are Nitrogen fixing plants. They take nitrogen from the air through their leaves and send it down to the root system which converts the element into nodules. The Nitrogen nodules feed the soil and the plants. Over fertilizing produces too much lush foliage that attracts aphids in large amounts. 

Sundial Lupines will keep producing blooms if deadheaded on a regular basis. Lupines begin to naturally die back at the end of the summer. Cutting the foliage down to 6 inches above the soil will help to keep the plant tidy. Lupines multiply by setting seeds in the fall. New plants can be left to naturalize an area or be transplanted to a different spot while they are small in the spring.

Sundial Wild Lupine Spacing

Sundial Lupine has a mature height of 2-3 feet and a width of 15-18 inches. Spacing Lupines at 18 inches on center will ensure that the plants have enough air circulation and also provide space for naturalization by setting seed.