Sundial Lupine (Lupinus perennis)
This is the only food source for the caterpillar of the rare Karner Blue butterfly. Sadly, wild populations of Sundial Lupine have dwindled more than 90% in the past 15 years. This member of the pea family helps restore soil health. It does well in dry, sandy soils.
Native range: Eastern North America, from Minnesota and Iowa eastward through the Lake States and New England, south to northern Florida and eastern Texas
Size: 2 feet tall, space 1 per square foot apart
Growing conditions: Partial to full sun, average to dry soil
Bloom period: May through July
Wildlife value: Attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators; essential larval host for endangered Karner Blue butterfly, Frosted Elfin, Eastern Tailed Blue, Wild Indigo Duskywing, and Persius Duskywing butterflies; nitrogen-fixing legume that improves soil fertility; seeds eaten by birds and small mammals
Garden benefits: Deer resistant, salt tolerant, host plant for rare insects, container friendly
This is the only food source for the caterpillar of the rare Karner Blue butterfly. Sadly, wild populations of Sundial Lupine have dwindled more than 90% in the past 15 years. This member of the pea family helps restore soil health. It does well in dry, sandy soils.
Native range: Eastern North America, from Minnesota and Iowa eastward through the Lake States and New England, south to northern Florida and eastern Texas
Size: 2 feet tall, space 1 per square foot apart
Growing conditions: Partial to full sun, average to dry soil
Bloom period: May through July
Wildlife value: Attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators; essential larval host for endangered Karner Blue butterfly, Frosted Elfin, Eastern Tailed Blue, Wild Indigo Duskywing, and Persius Duskywing butterflies; nitrogen-fixing legume that improves soil fertility; seeds eaten by birds and small mammals
Garden benefits: Deer resistant, salt tolerant, host plant for rare insects, container friendly