How much sun does Summer lupine need?

Summer lupine grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Summer lupine bloom?

Summer lupine blooms in April, May, June, and July.

Where is Summer lupine native?

Summer lupine (Lupinus formosus) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What butterflies or moths does Summer lupine host?

Summer lupine is a larval host plant for silvery blue.

Summer lupine

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lupinus formosus

Last reviewed: September 2026

Summer lupine (Lupinus formosus) is a perennial forb native to CA, OR. It blooms in April, May, June, and July. The flowers draw bees.

Toxicity unknown

Summer lupine (Lupinus formosus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–24" H × 12"–18" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, OR

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Mojave Basin and Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Upright perennial with palmate, gray-green leaves and spikes of purple-blue, pea-shaped flowers. Found on moist meadows and grassy slopes.

Growing Summer lupine

Grow Summer lupine in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for silvery blue.

Larval host plant for silvery blue and other lupine-feeding butterflies; flowers are a key resource for bumblebees.

Common questions

How much sun does Summer lupine need?: Summer lupine grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Summer lupine bloom?: Summer lupine blooms in April, May, June, and July.
Where is Summer lupine native?: Summer lupine (Lupinus formosus) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What butterflies or moths does Summer lupine host?: Summer lupine is a larval host plant for silvery blue.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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Ready to grow Summer lupine? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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