Amidst Lupine
I’ve been dreaming of lupines all winter. Now that spring is finally here, I was able to enjoy basking in their beauty. I hiked along the edge of a river until I came across an animal path and tiptoed my way amidst lupine to showcase one of my favorite organic cotton dresses. There’s little I love more than being comfortable out in nature, except perhaps when I’m wearing something ethically made from sustainably grown fabric. What a breath of fresh air!
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Outfit Details
Skin Worldwide Dress (also in white), Gold Wax Seal Necklace, Palm Beach Sandals, T3 Curling Iron
This dress from my favorite eco-friendly clothing brand, Skin, is made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton voile. It’s as soft as a dream, and the breathable, lined dress made the heat comfortable. In fact, this dress was so comfortable and fun to wear I didn’t want to take it off to go swimming later that evening. Perfect on its own as a dress or swim cover-up, this dress was on repeat during my recent time in Maine. Did I mention that it has pockets?
Now, let’s delve into the world of lupines! These stunning, attention-grabbing flowers add a touch of beauty and serve as a sanctuary for a myriad of pollinators, from honey bees and bumblebees to the endangered Karner blue butterfly’s larvae. However, it’s crucial to note that these lupine to our surroundings, despite their allure, are not. They hail from the West Coast and were introduced around the 1950s. Like many invasive plant species, they have the same nutritional, environmental, and lifecycle requirements as native milkweed plants. This is a huge problem as milkweed is the primary food source native to Maine for endangered monarch butterflies.
While Acadia National Park staff do not generally remove lupine, they ensure they don’t encroach too far into known milkweed patches and will remove them if they grow too close. Lupine spreads easily when their large seed pods open between the end of July and early August. These seeds are spread by the wind, birds, and other animals. Then, the growth cycle begins, and they spread a little further every year. So, while they’re beautiful to look at and standing amidst a sea of lupine is a dream come true, it’s essential to understand the dangers of invasive plants when considering what to plant in your own garden at home. Instead of selecting invasive or non-native plants, opt for native plants that coexist well with local flora and fauna. Your local gardening club, horticultural society, or even plant nurseries can help you select the correct flowers for your region.
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