Sundial Lupine (Lupinus perennis) is in the Legumes family (Fabaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,225 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Sundial Lupine: observations by month (U.S.)
About Sundial Lupine
Lupinus perennis (also wild perennial lupine, wild lupine, sundial lupine, blue lupine, Indian beet, or old maid's bonnets) is a medicinal plant in the Fabaceae family. It is widespread in the eastern part of the USA (from Texas and Florida to Maine) and Minnesota, Canada (southern Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador), and on the coasts of the Arctic Ocean, where it grows on sand hills and roadsides.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Sundial Lupine by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 360 | June | May–Jun |
| Minnesota | 197 | June | May–Jun |
| New York | 130 | May | May–May |
| Ohio | 121 | May | May–Jun |
| Indiana | 89 | May | May–May |
| Florida | 61 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Illinois | 56 | May | May–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 30 | May | May–Jun |
| New Jersey | 30 | May | May–May |
| Michigan | 28 | May | May–Jun |
| Georgia | 19 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | May | May–May |
| Maryland | 17 | May | Apr–May |
| New Hampshire | 17 | May | May–Jun |
| Virginia | 17 | April | Apr–May |
| North Carolina | 15 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Alabama | 8 | April | Apr–May |
| South Carolina | 5 | April | Apr–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Legumes)
White Clover
Red Clover
Texas bluebonnet
Bird's-Foot Trefoil
Rose Clover
Tomcat Clover
American hog-peanut
Purple Crownvetch
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Sundial Lupine?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is Sundial Lupine most often seen?
The most observations come from Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York.