Waves of purple, pink and white lupins splash across Nova Scotia this time of year.
Their spires decorate the wayside and abandoned fields.
Although they’re not our provincial flower (the mayflower is), their image is often found on postcards and their seeds are sold at shops catering to tourists.
People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.
~ Iris Murdoch
Text and photographs copyright Amy-Lynn Bell 2012
Oh Amy-Lynn, they’re gorgeous! Hope they will still be out when I get there in July xx
Lynne, my photos were taken in the early morning so they’re not as brilliant as they would be later in the day. There’s a field near Sybil’s place in Eastern Passage that’s just amazingly bright and colorful. I can’t recall how late in the season they bloom. Many gardeners don’t like them because once the blooming period is done, they look quite scraggly. If they’re not out when you get here, I’m sure we can find something else 🙂
OOOOO I’ll TAKE THEM ALL! All that purple and pink–hmmmmm!
Eva, isn’t it exhilirating when nature overdoes it 🙂
O yes! Very!
I think they’ll be done by the time you get here Lynne, but like Amy-Lynn says, we’ll find SOMETHING. How about a trip to the secret beach to console you?
Good idea Sybil, maybe we’ll even see a mermaid 😉
We have jacaranda (sp?) trees here – their fallen blossoms create purple streams running down the sidewalks. It annoys many people, I don’t know why. These lupins beg the question – what if our trees grew like that, fully bloomed? Are these adult lupins or baby jacarandas?
Aubrey, I had to look up jacaranda trees. They’re beautiful. I’d love to walk on the purple carpet created by their fallen blooms.
Yes these lupins are adults. They’re not baby jacarandas.
Beautiful, a flower of my childhood, my father used to grow them in the garden. I’ve never managed to get them established, the slugs see to that.
Mrs. Uhdd, I’ve been given many lupin plants over the years and can’t seem to get them to survive in my yard either. They seem to prefer open fields with full sunlight.
I didn’t know those were lupins – they are gorgeous!
And I love the quote by Iris Murdoch at the end, so fitting.
They are indeed Reggie.
I love that quote too – did you see the movie ‘Iris’ with Judi Dench about Iris Murdoch’s life?
Yes, I did see that movie, a long time ago. I remember that I really enjoyed it.
It looks like your lupines are at their prime now. They are so gorgeous when they’re like this. So delightful. Ours are all gone now, except for those few stragglers. Isn’t it fascinating that you can still (sometimes) find lupines blossoming in autumn?
Kathy, I don’t think I’ve ever found them still blossoming in autumn. Now I’ll be looking…
Beautiful flowers! I’ve seen them in Norway for the first time
Nadezhda, I think they are native to Western North America so it’s surprising to learn that you’ve seen them as far away as Norway. I’ve read that they’re considered an invasive species in some places, such as New Zealand. If they find the climate and site suitable, they certainly grow and reproduce at an amazing rate!
Oh luscious things. I don’t see those around here, at least not in that profusion. (I am mad with joy when the flowers bloom. Wonder what it means.)
Gerry, I don’t know what it means as I am prone to madness about nature at all times of the year 😉
What a lovely sight to behold! You must be mad with joy during lupine season! Simply gorgeous…
Barbara, there is a site where they bloom profusely at the intersection of Cole Harbour Road and Bissett Road. The lupins provide visual relief to the long lines of traffic waiting there to turn left back into town at the end of a day at Rainbow Haven Beach.
A really joyful sight indeed ! We used to have many lupins of all colours around the house but they all emigrated further away. One or two have decided to continue shining in the kitchen garden for our greatest pleasure. Beautiful pictures Amy-Lynn, thank you.
Wow. All i can say.
Keep writing, stay inspired!