Lupinus perennis

While everyone is eager to grow the west coast native Lupinus polyphyllus, virtually no one is growing the much easier to grow East Coast counterpart. L. perennis is found in sandy soils from MN south to GA. The winter rosettes give rise to 30" tall spikes, adorned with 7-11 lobed green leaves and topped in mid-late May with blue-lavender flowers. While the flower clusters are not as dense as in the hybrid lupines pictured in European gardening books, they are more than enough to dazzle your neighbors and secure you the coveted "Yard of the Month" designation. Do not disturb the root tips when transplanting.