Lupine 'My Castle'

My Castle (Lupinus polyphyllus)

A classic from the renowned Band of Nobles series, My Castle is a dramatic garden perennial with towering spires of rich, velvety red. The bold colour brings instant depth and romance to borders, beds, and cutting gardens, where each strong, upright stem carries a cascade of blooms above lush, palmate foliage. With its sweet fragrance and elegant form, My Castle is a favourite for both fresh and dried arrangements.

This hardy lupine flowers the first year if started early, with even more vigour and stature in its second season. Best in full sun with cooler summers.

🧤 Wear gloves when handling seeds or plants.
⚠️ All parts of the plant, including seeds, are toxic if ingested. Keep away from children and pets. Purchaser assumes all liability related to the use of this product.

DETAILS:

QTY: 50

TYPE: Perennial - Zone dependent

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.