Flowers – Lupine, Russell Mix

The Russell Lupine Mix (Lupinus polyphyllus) is an easy-care perennial. It’s in the legume family, so it fixes nitrogen in the soil and is a great companion plant or cover crop for the vegetable garden. Produces upright stalks of pea-sized blossoms in various shades of blue, pink, purple, red, and yellow with contrasting tips. Grows 1′-3′ tall on sturdy stems with daisy-like palmate foliage. Gorgeous in a pot or an entire field.

If consumed in large quantities, seeds can be toxic to people, pets, and livestock.

• Life cycle: Perennial
• Bloom season: Spring, summer
• Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
• Flower meaning: Abundance, change, growth

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Lupinus polyphyllus
• Hardiness zones: 3-7
• Planting season: Spring, fall
• Days to maturity: 1st or 2nd year
• Cold stratify: No
• Depth to plant seeds: Lightly cover – seeds need light to germinate
• Spacing between plants: 12″-24″ apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 15-75 days
• Germination soil temps: 55-70
• Soil types: Sandy, loamy, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
• Water needs: Average
• Sun needs: Full sun, part shade
• Frost tolerant: Yes
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes