Sundial Lupine is a breathtaking prairie icon that serves as the exclusive host plant for the endangered Karner Blue butterfly. This showy legume produces stunning spikes of pea-like, purple to blue flowers that rise above distinctive palmate foliage from May through July. Growing roughly 1 to 2 feet tall, it is a vital nectar source for hummingbirds, native bees, and the Frosted Elfin butterfly. Sundial Lupine is native to open woodlands and sandy prairies, where it plays a crucial role in soil health by fixing nitrogen. It prefers full to partial sun and thrives in well-drained, sandy, or gravelly soils, often struggling in heavy clay or overly rich environments. Because it develops a deep taproot, it is best to sow seeds directly into their permanent location to avoid root disturbance. Incorporating this species into your landscape not only adds vibrant color but also supports some of the most specialized and rare pollinators in the native ecosystem.

Quick facts

• Height: 1–2 ft
• Sun: Full to Partial
• Soil moisture: Medium-Dry to Dry
• Bloom time: May–Jul (Purple)
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Notes: Legume, Sand
• Native range: Native to 30 states, including Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan

See the full growing guide and county range map for Sundial Lupine