a symbol of the north
For me it’s summer, and no longer spring, when I start seeing lupine on the roadsides. The further north you go in Minnesota the more lupine you will find, and once you are on the north shore of Lake Superior, all of Hwy 61 will be filled on both sides with wild lupine. It’s one of every Minnesotan’s favorite sights, and favorite rights of passage from spring into high summer.
wild erennial lupine (Lupinus perennis)
In this delightful image, the lupines look appropriately wild. They are unlike the statuesque domesticated ones. One of my favorite characteristics of the lupine (and there are many) is the way water beads up on the leaves creating a jewel like aspect.