Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Lupinus perennis
Source: Doug McGrady
image of Flowering plant
Lupinus perennis
Sundial Lupine
Lupin vivace

Obsolete Names

perennial lupine
lupin pérenne
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Purple Bloom period: May - Jul
Max Height: 2.0 feet
Max Width: 1.5 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolerates dry soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Hummingbird friendly Supports hummingbirds
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
bee host Bee host
nitrogen fixer Fixes nitrogen in the soil
Tolerates:
sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
plant endangered This plant is endangered

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: No

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Lupinus perennis
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Lupinus perennis

  • Glaucopsyche lygdamus (Silvery Blue)

Specialized Bees Supported by Lupinus perennis

  • Megachile melanophaea
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
  • Delphinium (Delphinium)
  • Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Iris)
  • Iris (Iris Cultivars)
  • Hesperis matronalis (Dame Rocket)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow by February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Needs scarification if started in fridge

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: June
  • Harvesting indicator: Pods are open
  • Harvesting mean: Open the pod, remove seeds
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/32 teaspoon
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • Remove non seed material
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Toxic to mammals if ingested.