Lupine 'Russell Mix'

Russell Mix (Lupinus polyphyllus)

A timeless blend from the celebrated Band of Nobles series, Russell’s Mix brings a dazzling spectrum of colour to the garden, including white, pink, violet-blue, red, yellow, peach, and elegant bi-colours. Tall, graceful spires rise above lush, palmate foliage, offering sweet fragrance and striking vertical form. Strong, upright stems make these perennials perfect for cutting, borders, or as a dramatic backdrop in mixed beds. Hardy and long-lived, plants bloom in their first season if started early, with even more abundant, vigorous displays in following years. Best suited to cooler summer climates. Soak seeds overnight or lightly scarify to encourage germination.

🧤 Wear gloves when handling.
⚠️ Toxic if ingested. All parts, including seeds, are poisonous. Keep away from children and pets. Purchaser assumes all liability.

DETAILS:

QTY: 50

TYPE: Perennial 

SITE: Full Sun/Part Shade

DEPTH: 1/8"

GERMINATION: 14 - 21 days at 18 - 24°C

HEIGHT: 24" - 40” 

MATURITY: 150 - 190 Days

SPACING: 18 - 24”

PINCH: No

HOW TO GROW:
Transplant (recommended): Lupines have a long taproot and dislike being moved, so transplanting can be tricky. To increase success, start seeds in deep pots (like tree pots) or biodegradable pots 4–6 weeks before your average last frost. Before sowing, you can scarify the hard seed coat with a file or soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours to improve germination. Plant seeds ¼–½" deep. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before planting out after the risk of frost has passed.

Direct Sowing (alternative): Direct sowing is the best method to avoid transplant shock. Sow seeds in the fall in mild climates, or in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Prepare the seedbed well and keep the soil consistently moist until seedlings are established.

Pinching: Pinching is not necessary for lupines. However, deadheading spent flower spikes will encourage a second, smaller flush of blooms.

Soil Preference and Watering: Lupines thrive in full sun and prefer well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. As members of the legume family, they fix their own nitrogen and will not perform well in overly rich soil. Water consistently during germination and establishment. Once mature, they are very drought-tolerant.

Fertilizing: Fertilizing is not required. As nitrogen-fixers, lupines can become leggy and produce fewer flowers if given too much fertilizer.

Harvesting: For bouquets, harvest stems when the flowers are 75% open, and the rest of the  buds are showing color. Cut in the early morning or late evening and immediately place in a vase of water.