June=Lupine in Bloom
June here in the North Country brings meadows and roadsides that burst with the beauty of Lupine flowers in bloom. The weather is quite pleasant, and the longer sunny days are perfect for a wander. The lupine flower stands for imagination, admiration, and overall happiness. Whether grown in your garden, or given as a gift, the lupine brings the energy of inner strength to recover from trauma. Perhaps that’s what makes us so strong and resilient here!
Lupine History
Did you know that Lupine were cultivated as many as 2,000 years ago? The plants are of the genus Lupinus of the Fabaceae or pea family. Dating back centuries in Egypt and in the Mediterranean regions, they are currently native to the Mediterranean and North America. There are over 300 species of the genus Lupinus, but many have high levels of alkaloids that make the seed unpalatable, bitter tasting and sometimes TOXIC. Historically, lupine alkaloids were removed from the seed by soaking them. Plant breeders in the 1920’s in Germany produced the first selections of alkaloid free or “sweet” lupine. This specific strain can be directly consumed by humans or livestock. White lupine (L. albus L.), yellow lupine (L. luteus), and blue or narrow-leafed lupine (L. angustifolius) are cultivated as crops. Lupines are still grown as a forage and grain legume in USSR, Poland, Germany, the Mediterranean, and as a cash crop in Australia, where the seeds are cultivated and exported to the European seed markets. NOTE: WILD LUPINE ARE NOT EDIBLE
Benefits of Lupine
One benefit of the lupines in our area is that they provide good cover for ground-nesting birds and nectar for pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Lupines also require less maintenance than many other vegetation. This is one reason why they spread so beautifully through empty fields and roadside ditches. The plants will adapt to different soil types and can grow in sandy soils or heavy wetter soils. Another benefit is that they are nitrogen-fixing legumes capable of thriving in poorer soils or summer droughts. Once the lupines are established, they will continually reseed themselves, and they tend to choke out some of the less desirable species like poison ivy.
Lupine Locations
There are so many perfect photo-op locations around the North Country to take in the gorgeous colors and majestic mountainous backdrops. Perhaps the most well known is the town of Sugar Hill. Click the clink below for a map of fields, produced by the Celebration of Lupines Committee. And remember, the geography of the North Country allows for many spots to view the flowers in bloom. Winding back roads or right in town, the classic New England architecture of barns and farmhouses can make for more truly unique captures. This is a great time to explore, as you can now meander down many dirt roads and find amazing views along the way.
Be respectful of private property- although the open fields are tempting, they still belong to someone, and not all places are accessible to the public.
Beware of ticks- when you do have an opportunity to walk amongst the flowers, please be careful and do a tick check before getting back in your vehicle. Lupine are a prime hangout for those little buggers!
Plan your route- Wandering the back roads can be quite an adventure, so be prepared. Not all towns have services such as gas stations or convenience stores. Pack snacks and plenty of H2O to keep you going.
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Research and Image Sources:
Post Images: Maeve Cyr
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