Blooming lupines in Newfoundland (© Nature, Parks/Outdoor/Shutterstock)

What makes a lupine so eye-catching? Start with the shape: tall spires packed with pea-like flowers, often in blues, purples, pinks and whites. Add finely divided leaves and a knack for improving soil by fixing nitrogen, and you've got a plant that's both hardy and useful. Lupines thrive in cool climates, which explains why they spread so easily across parts of Atlantic Canada.