If you’re looking for a showy summer flowering perennial that will stand out from the crowd, the lupine is a sure front-runner. The tall, lush
towers of colorful flowers are like floral traffic cones, forcing you to slow down and pay attention. In addition to their compelling beauty,
lupins are also prized for their ability to thrive in challenging environments, including sandy, nutrient-poor soils, high elevations, and areas
with cool summers.
“Just being able to grow lupins would be reason enough to move to a cool summer climate,” says Larry Hodgson, author of Perennials for
Every Purpose. “Not only do lupins thrive, they seed themselves with a vengeance.” There are also many strains that can be grown outside of
their comfort zone as an annual.
