Dirty. I rescued some blue eyed grass from the same area the lupine came from. I replanted them the same way you did and mine seem fine.

Can you go get some of the soil in which your plants were growing to plant them in?

They're on the side of the street, so I'll take as much soil as I can with them, of course. BTW, good luck with the lupines. They really hate being moved. I found that out when I tried to do it in SC, and just ended up saving seeds and replanting where I wanted them.

Dirty, yes, the lupines are not happy as of now. I moved them with their soil and stretched a sheet over the bed to ke them shaded for a few days. In the past this has made a huge difference when transplanting touchy plants. Will see if it works.

BTW I read that lupine seeds need special treatment to sprout. Did you do anything to yours. I plan to save some in case the plants don't make it.

Mine were pretty big seeds, since it was Carolina lupine, which is a much bigger plant and flower. I just took an emery board and file a little place on the outside, then soaked them overnight. They need cold to sprout, so I left them outside all winter and in the spring, they came up. I don't think sundial lupines are the same.

From what I read about this species the seeds need to be scarified and stratified. I guess all species in this family have this in common.

The nicest thing that happened to me when we lost our business and house and had to move into a rental was to find the first spring we were here that the swales around the house for flood control were loaded with blue-eyed grass, my favorite wild flower. I just dug them up, trying to keep the soil around the roots intact and transplanted them all around the house. I watered them well for the first 3-4 days and then left them. They do get watered during dry spells over the summer. They are the first lovely blooms of the spring and I can't get enough of them. I also find them in a flood control area nearby where no one gives a hoot that I go out there periodically to dig up more. The fact that they grow wild in low areas led me to believe that they like moisture.

What kind of soil do you all have, sandy? I have amended clay and my BE grass did not survive, for me it was a pricey plant. Considering it grows wild as you describe

You guys are kidding right. I mow the stuff. Its a weed. Too bad it isn't hard to grow.

Do they set seed? I thought they multiplid by clumping, since they're members of the iris family.

They do set seed. Little tiny fruits about the size of a match head. each has several seeds.

That's interesting. I guess I've never seen them since most of the ones I've seen get mowed on the side of the road. Never get to set seeds, no doubt.

Yes, make sure to get a clump of soil with each one so you don't disturb the roots too much. Also, if you can put it in a similar climate (soil, moisture, light) in your yard when you get home that'll help immensely. They do have the sweetest little flowers and look so great when you can get a good sized area going.

Thanks, Sharon. I plan to try to day when I walk up to the store for milk.

I've staked out a couple of big clumps and am going to go get them today. Forgot my trowel yesterday. I figure the more mature they are, the better chance they have at surviving the move. They're just being mowed down now.

Hope you get some nice ones.

I don't understand why they always mow them right when they are blooming and looking gorgeous. It seems all the municipalities hate wildflowers.

DG mine are doing great. They are good size plants and I did what I always do when I transplant from the wild. I place a cover over the plants for about a week and water daily.

That's a great idea ... keeps them from baking. Bea - what kind of cover do you use? I've been trying to come up with something easy to put on and take off seedlings when I'm trying to harden them off. I'd love to hear what you use or any ideas other folks have.

I just use flower pots with holes, and I only leave them on for a couple of days, unless I'm not able to keep them watered.

Well Patty that's a simple and super easy idea ... don't know why it never dawned on me to do that. lol Thanks!

Sharon, sorry I didn't answer until now. I didn't see your question. And then I decided this subject might get buried here and thought I would start another thread for it. So I did!