Thermopsis villosa (Carolina Lupine) Unity Grown

Thermopsis villosa, commonly called Carolina lupine, is an upright, shrubby perennial with green, clover-like foliage and majestic spires of butter-yellow pea-like flowers in the early summer. Commonly found in open field and woodland edge areas throughout the American east and mid-Atlantic, Carolina lupine is a large, showy addition to naturalized wildflower meadows or in flowering, perennial borders. Growing to a mature size of 3-5' tall with a spread up to 2-4' wide, Carolina lupine produces a sturdy taproot that can help regenerate soil nutrients, thanks to the plants close relationship with beneficial microbes that live in native soils.

Well regarded for their spring and summer blooms, at the end of summer Carolina lupine produces thin, green seed pods which dry and turn brown during the colder fall and winter months. These seed pods allow for easy self-seeding, act as a great food source for birds during the harsher parts of the year, and also add an eye-catching, coppery element to landscape scenery through the fall. More heat tolerant than true lupines, Carolina lupine is native throughout western Maryland, but will excel anywhere with well-draining soil and good exposure.