Flower Fairy Field Notes

Enchanted by Roadside Lupines

May 2025


Purple seems to be a theme of the flowers calling to me this year. First the crocuses, then the lilacs, and now the lupines.

< Purple Lupines - first sighting May 15

I was driving the back farm roads to go pick up some supplies and there they were, a vast sea of lupines dressing the side of the road. Like a flower army stationed on the hills.


I took a mental note - must stop on the way back to get some pictures. I often don't follow through on my well intentioned goals of stopping on the way the back, but I did this time. I am getting better at stopping.

I am glad I did because I was thoroughly enchanted by these lupines. I parked the car and wandered across the street, pulled in their direction, under their spell. There was a light rain. I began taking photos of the ones closest to the road, but it wasn't enough. They called me in deeper. I needed to cross over the ditch and climb up the small hill to reach the rest of them.

Once I was up on the hill I was in their world. The realm of the roadside lupines. Knee deep in wet grass and their alluring essence. The lupines really have a magical wavelength that I couldn't quite put my finger on. It was slightly erotic, a subtle but charged electricity in the air. I will need to do some further research on them.

I remember last year I drove by this same spot and a woman was up there picking the lupines and putting them in a basket. I don't understand the rules yet for picking wildflowers so I didn't take any. It always feels like a 'no' to me when I think of picking them. If you're aloud though I wouldn't mind taking a few home.


Sidenotes:

  • Lilacs are also making their presence known to me this year - further exploration needed
  • I have been seeing so many roadside flowers that I can't keep up with them all
  • May feels like an important month to remember, like the true beginning of Spring floral awakening, after the early bloomers
  • A lot of flower events in May - many garden and flower shows and markets as well as garden tours



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