Lupines

Miss Rumphius

Many of you are familiar with the children’s book Miss Rumphius. Written and illustrated by Barbara Cooney, the story describes how lupines got their start and spread over our state. Since it is the time of year when the lupines are starting to bloom I was interested in the history of the beautiful flowers. It took me several years to grow them. I tried new seeds, collected seeds from other lupines, friends gave me them from their lands, I bought plants from plant sales and new plants from several different garden stores. Finally they took hold and now I am mowing less of my lawn so the little plants can spread and spread. I do love them!

Perhaps you use the story as part of a lesson. My favorite part of the book is when Miss Rumphius tells her niece “You must do something to make the world more beautiful. ” You can read the real story from the New England Historical Society.