It is most definitely Lupine season here in the North Country. Donna MacIntosh snapped these shots of them in the Baraga area, but they really are everywhere, adding subtle color to the roadsides and fields.

We were all aware of the growth of these tall flowers before I typed it, but did you know that you can grow these beauties yourself? Lupines like to be planted in large groups and will grow to between 12 and 60 inches tall. They usually bloom in June and July and they're quite attractive to the bees, butterflies and humming birds. According to what I've read, they're pretty easy to grow. Guess I'll have to give them a try one of these summers.

We saw lots of lupines growing in northern Norway and Sweden above the Arctic Circle a few years ago. Of course, they were a different variety than the UP ones, but still beautiful and very colourful across the fields...

I'm not sure if I've seen lupines or not. If I've seen them they didn't impress me enough to remember them. In Canada they are considered weeds.

Nice...och aye, they remind me of heather flowers in Scotland.

One of my favorite flowers. Love these!

Love Lupines, especially the pink ones.

I especially like the purple ones.

Lupines have always been one of my favourite flowers. They remind me of Norway. Thanks for the nice photos!

A field of lupines fills my heart with joy.

OK islandman43 dandelions are weeds but the flowers are nice (if not in the lawn) and they make great wine to boot. Salads too.
I can not say the same for lupines. Does anyone know if they have another use?

Lupines may be weeds, but who cares? They're
beautiful and I can't get enough of them. On the
drive from here to the UP, we see them all over and
I just love looking at them. I also have them in my
perennial garden. Gorgeous.

Oh, and dandelions also make great jelly!! But
they're an ugly weed.

And don't forget about the tea and the brownies, they make the best brownies, man.

A member of the legume family, lupine seeds -- sometimes called lupins or lupini beans -- make a healthful addition to your diet, and you can consume them on their own or use ground, dried lupini beans as a replacement for flour. Eating lupini beans adds nutritional value to your diet because they come packed with fiber, protein, B-complex vitamins and essential minerals. But you should avoid lupine seeds if you have a peanut allergy, since they might trigger an allergic reaction.

Deb, i need your green thumb! After years of trying the lupines (at least store bought seeds) just won't grow in our gardens!

I always heard you had to "Score' the seed. A gent
I knew would weed whack the area he threw the
seeds in to cut them to get them to work....Either
that or transplant...that works...and it works
well!

Thanks Donna! My info just said to soak the seeds first!