Everybody loves lupines. And most lupine species are American wildflowers. From coast to coast they are loved...the famous Pacific coast lupines, the Texas Bluebonnet, and the widespread Wild Blue Lupine of the eastern US.
But when it comes to hybrids, there is really only one group--the world-famous Russell Lupines. They were created by crossing several lupine species, most notably blue L. polyphyllus, a native of the Pacific Northwest. By careful hybridization and years of work, a man named George Russell in England perfected the multicolored strains in 1937, and they've been the standards ever since.
Growing Lupines These prized plants are not hard to grow, and in fact, many of the wild species are permanent features in wildflower meadows. They love sandy, loose soil, since they must develop a deep tap root before blooming. In some soils, that takes less than a year; in others (like clay) it can take several seasons.
One of my favorite perennial author/experts, Alan Armitage, says, "Flowers more perfect than those of the lupine hybrids are difficult to imagine."
More InformationAssociated SKUs | AM015973 AM013409 (1 Pound) AM013412 (1/4 Pound) AM013410 (10 Pounds) AM013411 (5 Pounds)
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Common Name | Russell Lupine |
Botanical Name | Lupinus polyphyllus |
Seed Life Cycle | Perennial |
Light Requirements | Full Sun |
Flower Color | Mixed |
Bloom Time | Spring to summer |
Mature Height | 12-36" tall |
Wildflower Mix or Specie | Species |
Ships As | Seed |
Ideal Region | Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West, Southwest, Pacific Northwest |
Zones | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
Non-GMO | Yes |
Coverage | 1/4 lb covers 272 sq ft. 1 lb covers 1,090 sq ft. 5 lbs covers 5,450 sq ft. 10 lbs covers 10,900 sq ft. |
Soil Type | Sandy Soil, Loamy Soil, Drought/Dry Soil |
Soil Moisture | Dry, Average, Well Draining |
Advantages | Attract Butterflies, Easy To Grow, Attract Hummingbirds, Attract Birds, Bee Friendly, Deer Resistant, Native, Low Maintenance, Good For Cut Flowers, Great For Mass Plantings, Soil Enhancer |
Ships to Hawaii, Alaska & Canada | Yes |