One of the unexpected beauties of our trip to Prince Edward Island were the beautiful pink, purple, yellow and cream lupins growing wild almost everywhere we went.
These ones were growing between the dunes at Basin Head provincial park, but they were in just about every vista we saw. I don’t remember ever seeing them around Ottawa – surely we’re in a similar temperate zone, can I grow them here? Honestly, before we went to PEI, everything I knew about lupins I learned from Monty Python!
PS WordPress really wants me to spell “lupin” as “lupine” – but they’re not really wolf-like, are they? Hmm, today’s photo seems to raise more questions than it answers…
Hi Dani,
I came across your wonderful blog this afternoon. I love your photos of PEI, my heart yearns for the islands red sands and the relaxed pace and warm hospitality. I have spent twenty five of the past twenty eight years vacationing on the island. My first visit I fell in love with the vibrant hues of the masses of lupins growing wild everywhere.
You wondered if you could grow lupins, “lupinus” in your area…the answer is most definitely in zones 4b-9b! Russell Hybrids Lupinus are hardy in these zones, early spring or late fall planting for seeds. Btw I enjoyed watching the Monty Python clip it brought back memories and many chuckles, thanks for posting it.
I love your blog, keep it going girl!
Ciao!
yep you can grow lupins here. they are bi-annuals. and their seeds spread and you can have them all over your garden in no time. for some reason even if you plant the pink and yellow ones, they always turn purple. they are super easy.