Your mom is right! Lupines really do grow very well in northern Minnesota and in the ditches around Duluth. The cooler temperatures keep them blooming longer, too. Lupines are short-lived perennials producing spikes of pealike flowers. The plants prefer full sun, but they tolerate some light shade. Lupine tolerates most soils as long as they don't contain much organic matter and are not alkaline. Soils in the Twin Cities area are often quite alkaline and the soil should be acidified for them to grow well. Contact your local Extension office for instructions on soil testing; recommendations on acidifying soils will be included if needed.

Long taproots make transplanting difficult, too. Cut the flower stalks after the first bloom to encourage formation of a second spike.

This information is specific for Minnesota and may not apply to your local conditions. For more information on this topic, choose a related topic link above, submit a questions through Ask an Expert, or contact your local county Extension office.