Lupine

As a kid in the 1970s who spent part of most summers in Maine, Lupines were one of the major road side attractions in Maine. They started showing in June, and sometimes, as you went North, you could still see them in early July. They’re not the native (possibly extinct) Lupine (Lupinus perennis); these are cultivated (though it’s quite possible that there’s been some unsupervised crossing) Lupinus polyphyllus, originally a West coast native. It’s a plant I’m going to plant, someday, on the edge of a field or road. Lupines are fairly easy to cultivate, and thrive in somewhat harsh conditions with poor soil.

Lupines

You might be familiar with the fabulous book written and illustrated by Barbara Cooney: Miss Rumphius, about a woman who traveled the world, and scattered and collected and distributed lupine seeds all over Maine.

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Lady Slipper Orchid

These are native New England orchids, and there are three varieties; this one, the white-and-pink variety, and the very rare yellow variety.

Lady Slippers propagate by seeds, but it takes several years before they bloom, and they generally die when transplanted because they have a fragile root system.

At the bottom on the left of the photo is a Star flower, another spring blossom.

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