It’s lupine time! And, from the looks of it, this year will produce a bumper crop of this multi-colored roadside attraction. Lupine seem to spread quite effectively which sometimes means they come and go, from year to year, frequently clambering for space one year then all but vanishing the next. I’m sure many lupine lovers are confused by what once may have been a wonderful patch only to find the plant vanished a following season.

Such is the case with our lupine population here at home. This year, an area generally packed with lupine out near our barn, shows far fewer plants. And the plants that have shown up look diminished and sparse. But, in other fields, new plants seem to be emerging and healthy.

In the past, I have tried to plant and transplant, but lupine seem to have a mind of their own despite efforts to manage their residency. I have recently read, much to my dismay, that the lupine plant, in some cases, is being regarded as invasive, choking out other, more native plants. Bummer! That’s not a turn I would have suspected. As much as we enjoy the annual spring offensive, I guess there may be some reason for concern. Who’d a thunk? Although the plant is unique and interesting, it may also have some less desirable inclinations. They certainly have popped up in the most unusual places here at home, much to the dismay of our chief gardener! The lupine have overtaken areas intended for other flowering items. And to be honest, I don’t really know how they have managed to spread so widely without permission!

Our onion sets and garlic are doing pretty well though. Ha, ha. Much less interesting to view, however!

Many years ago, when our girls were not babies, but quite young, we often read to them. One of their (and coincidentally our) favorite story books was “Miss Rumphius” by Barbara Cooney, a longtime resident in the Damariscotta area. For anyone who does not know of this book, it's a real gem, telling a story about Alice Rumphius, who fulfills her childhood promise to travel the world, live by the sea, and “do something to make the world more beautiful.” Barbara wrote the book and was also its illustrator. 

I had the wonderful honor of photographing with Ms. Cooney at her home back in 1990 when Tim Sample and Marylou Teel produced a “Postcards from Maine” piece for CBS “Sunday Morning.” Quite a lovely spot along the Damariscotta River which, I think, in many ways, influenced her creative experience. Barbara was so nice. She showed us her painting area and actually did some sketching during the visit. It was so fun to watch her work while at the same time, having conversations for the show. A memorable experience for sure.

I hope you will enjoy all the lupine visuals that can be seen online this time of year. Perhaps your sightings out and about can be shared for all to see. My photo is only a small sampling of the Miss Rumphius adventure. I’m sure there are many others.