Chasing Lupines: Maine's Purple Season
Where and when to find the fields of purple, pink, and white wildflowers that blanket Maine in early summer.
For a few weeks every year, Maine’s landscape undergoes a stunning transformation. The roadsides, meadows, and ocean cliffs explode with tall spires of purple, pink, and white.
The Russell Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) is technically an invasive species (introduced from the West Coast), but it has become a beloved symbol of the transition from spring to summer in Maine.
When is Lupine Season?
- Peak Bloom: Typically mid-June.
- Duration: The season is short—about 2-3 weeks. By early July, most blooms have turned to seed pods.
Best Places to See Them
You don’t have to look hard—they grow in ditches along almost every highway—but some spots are spectacular.
1. The Rangeley Lakes Region
Rangeley is arguably the epicenter of lupines in Maine. The altitude seems to suit them perfectly.
- The Lupine Festival: The town hosts an annual festival in June celebrating the bloom.
- Route 4: The drive from Farmington to Rangeley is lined with massive patches.
- Quill Hill: Drive to the top for a view, but stop halfway up to see fields of flowers against the backdrop of the mountains.
2. Downeast & Acadia
The contrast of purple flowers against grey granite and blue ocean is a photographer’s dream.
- Stonington & Deer Isle: The winding roads of this island are famous for their lupine density.
- Acadia National Park: Look for them in the meadows near the tarn and along the carriage roads (though the park manages them carefully).
- Blue Hill: The Blue Hill peninsula is covered in them.
3. Midcoast
- Route 131 (St. George Peninsula): The drive down to the Tenants Harbor and Marshall Point Lighthouse is often spectacular.
- Camden/Rockport: The fields surrounding the Merryspring Nature Center often have good displays.
Photo Tips
- Golden Hour: Shoot at sunrise or sunset. The low light makes the purple petals glow.
- Get Low: Get your camera right down in the flowers (without crushing them!). Shooting up toward the sky makes the field look denser and the spires look taller.
- Contrast: Look for a white birch tree or a grey barn to frame with the purple flowers.
A Note on Conservation
While beautiful, lupines are aggressive and can crowd out native plants.
- Do Not Plant: Conservationists generally advise against planting Russell Lupines in new areas. Enjoy the ones that are there, but maybe plant native Sundial Lupines instead if you are gardening.
- Respect Private Property: Many of the best fields are on private land. Do not enter without permission. Take photos from the road shoulder.
When the lupines bloom, you know that the long Maine winter is truly over and the best days of summer have arrived.