(Lupinus Perennis 'Northern Sundial')
Northern Sundial Lupine is a native perennial wildflower that grows on sand hills and along sandy roadsides throughout the Eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 36” and features erect stems, palmately compound leaves, and clusters of violet-blue pea-like flowers. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer, is drought tolerant, and is both edible and medicinal!
Genus: Lupinus
Species: perennis
Variety: Northern Sundial Lupine
Also Known As: Wild Lupine
Native to: Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Rhode I., Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Easy of Growing: Moderate.
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Blooms): Summer
Attracts Beneficial Insects: Yes. Lupine attracts native bees, bumble bees, and other beneficial insects with its nectar and pollen-rich flowers that bloom from mid-spring into mid-summer. It also attracts hummingbirds, contributing to the biodiversity of any site. This plant is a larval host for several species of butterfly, including Karner Blue, Mountain Blue, Frosted Elfins, Hairstreaks, and skippers.
Containers?: Yes.
Light: Full Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist, occasionally dry.
Height: 36”
Spacing: 18”
Sow Depth: 1/8"
USDA Zone: 3a-9b
Produces: erect stems, palmately compound leaves, and clusters of violet blue pea-like flowers.
Germinating Lupine Seeds for Spring:
1) To soften the hard coating on these seeds, rub them lightly with sandpaper or soak them in 180 degrees F water overnight before sowing.
1) Fill seed starting trays to within 1/2 inch of the rim with moist soil mix.
2) Firm the surface with the back of your fingers, then scatter your seeds evenly over the medium.
3) Sprinkle a little additional 1/8" soil mix over seeds and add a label with the plant name and date.
4) Cover the finished pots with plastic and set them in a warm bright place or under lights at a room temperature of 55 to 70°F.
5) Keep the soil moist as the seedlings sprout and develop. Seedlings should emerge within 14-35 days.
Temperature: 55-70F. Ideal 70F.
Average Germ Time: 14-35 days
Light Required: Yes
Depth: 1/8"
Moisture: Keep seed moist until germination
Transplanting Seedlings into Larger Pots:
1) When your seedlings have two sets of true leaves, pot them up into a larger container filled with a soil mix.
2) After the last threat of frost, harden off the seedlings in the garden for about 10 days.
3) Once the seedlings have been hardened off, you can plant them in the garden.
Fall Planting:
In late fall, direct sow 2-3 of your Lupine seeds 1/8" deep, 18" apart in fertile and well-drained soils that has a pH between 5.6 and 7.5.
Transplant your seedlings into the garden once the soil has warmed after all dangers of frost. Lupine prefers a moist fertile soil that has a pH between 5.6 and 7.5. In colder areas, lupine appreciate full sunshine. In hotter climates, it will do best with afternoon shade to provide shelter from the intense heat. Dig your holes as deep as the pots you are transplanting from and keep a spacing of 16" between seedlings. Your soil will need to maintain a medium moisture until your plants establish.
When outdoor temp: 63˚F to 82˚F.
Spacing: 16"
Support: No.
Suggested Varieties
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(Cucumis sativus 'Lemon')
Lemon Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to India, but was introduced into the United States by Samuel Wilson in 1894. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 3-4' and features 2-4” round, yellow cucumbers that bare black spines. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, deters cucumber beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucumis sativus 'National Pickling')
National Pickling Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Michigan, where it was developed by George Starr of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station in 1924. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 36-48” and features 6” medium green, tender skin cucumbers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucumis sativus 'Marketmore 76')
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(Melothria scabra 'Mexican Sour Gherkin')
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(Cucumis sativus 'Straight Eight')
Straight Eight Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Massachusetts, where it was developed by Ferry-Morse Seed Company in 1935. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-12' and features 8” straight, dark green cucumbers with white spines. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucumis sativus 'Sumter')
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(Cucumis sativus 'White Wonder')
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Wisconsin SMR 58' Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Wisconsin, where it was developed by the University of Wisconsin in 1959. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 36-72” and features 4-6" dark green, black-spined cucumbers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Early White Bush Scallop')
Early White Scallop Bush Summer Squash is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico but can be found growing throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-48” and features creamy white, 7” across and 3” deep scalloped squashes. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Early Yellow Crookneck')
Early Yellow Crookneck Summer Squash is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico but can be found growing throughout in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 5-6" light yellow, crookneck squashes with slightly warted skin. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Grey Zucchini')
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Grey Zucchini is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico but can be found growing throughout in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 7-9" zucchini with mottled grayish green skin. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!