Gro 'n Sell
Lupine (32)
Those of us in northern New England see acres of Lupine casually blooming each spring. It has been sown on purpose, or drifted around on accident and is one of our prettiest weeds! It is native to the Western part of the US and has made itself quite at home in the East.
It doesn't like hot summers which is why you don't see it often in the south. These vernalized plugs should be ready to flower right away. In the north they will likely establish themselves into large clumps. In the South they may not make it through the heat, but hopefully you will have cut a couple stems off of them before then and they can also reseed and behave like an annual. Remove flowers after bloom if you do not want seedlings to establish.
One of my favorite old fashioned perennials!
White Shades (Maiden) A striking Russell hybrid reaching 3 to 4 feet tall and 12 to 18 inches wide, bearing dense spikes of fragrant ivory‑white pea-like blooms from late spring to early summer. Hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, it thrives in full sun and can tolerate part shade (in warmer climates), in rich, evenly moist yet well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Pollinator‑magnet and widely ignored by deer & rabbits, it makes an impressive cut flower - cut stems when approximately half of the florets are open; stems last about a week in bouquets with proper conditioning. Although individual plants may be short-lived perennials, they readily self-sow.
Pink Shades (The Chatelaine) A standout from the “Band of Nobles” series, growing 3 to 4 feet tall and 12 to 18 inches wide, with dense, sweetly scented bi-colored pink-and-white flower spikes. Hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, it thrives in full sun and can tolerate part shade (in warmer climates), in rich, evenly moist yet well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Pollinator‑magnet and widely ignored by deer & rabbits, it makes an impressive cut flower - cut stems when approximately half of the florets are open; stems last about a week in bouquets with proper conditioning. Although individual plants may be short-lived perennials, they readily self-sow.
Blue (Governor) Known as ‘The Governor,’ this cultivar reaches 3 to 4 feet tall and 12 to 18 inches wide, with striking bicolor ultramarine-blue and white flower spikes in late spring and early summer. Hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, it thrives in full sun and can tolerate part shade (in warmer climates), in rich, evenly moist yet well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Pollinator‑magnet and widely ignored by deer & rabbits, it makes an impressive cut flower - cut stems when approximately half of the florets are open; stems last about a week in bouquets with proper conditioning. Although individual plants may be short-lived perennials, they readily self-sow.
**We do not guarantee any specific shades will appear in Mix products, as the Mix is created by the seed breeder. It is possible that Mix will be all one color, or significantly different from pictured colors. If you need specific shades, please order straight colors as opposed to Mix trays.**
About Tray Sizes
210 and 125 cell trays are full-sized trays, and three of these will fit in a shipping box.
50 cell trays are half-sized trays (unless otherwise noted) and two of these are the equivelent of one full sized tray. Six of these will fit in a shipping box.
18 and 32 cell trays are full sized trays specifically for our vernalized perennials. These have their own set of shipping rules (find details HERE) and cannot be combined with items grown in 210, 125, or 50 cell trays.
Growing Guides
Click here to access all of our comprehensive growing guides.
| Common Name | Lupin or Lupine (both are correct) |
| Genus | Lupinus |
| Species | Lupinus polyphyllus |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Life Cycle | Short-lived perennial (2–5 years), often treated as an annual or biennial in warmer climates. |
| Format | 32-cell plug tray |
| Plug Care | Transplant plugs promptly once they arrive. Lupins have deep taproots and dislike being rootbound, so do not delay planting. Firm the plug in place, water deeply post-transplant, and maintain consistent soil moisture until well established. |
| Netting / Staking | Generally not needed - upright habit is self-supporting unless in very windy environments. |
| Temperature Range | Hardy in USDA zones 4-8; prefers cool-summer climates. Perform best in temperate areas with long, cool springs; may be short-lived or treated as annuals in hotter regions. |
| Spacing | Space plugs 18-24″ apart for Russell mixes; this allows for adequate airflow and accommodates the mature size. |
| Soil Preference | Moist, well-drained, moderately fertile soil is ideal. Slightly acidic pH is ideal, but not absolutely necessary - lupins are fairly tolerant of poor soils but will not reach their full potential. Avoid waterlogging - well draining soil is essential for winter survivability and to avoid root rot. |
| Day Length | long-day plants (requiring long days to initiate flowering). Full sun to partial shade; ensure at least 6 hours of sun daily for best results. |
| Pinching | Do not pinch. |
| When to Plant | Transplant in the spring, around the time of last frost, or in early autumn - allow enough time to establish before the cold winter temperatures arrive. |
| Harvesting | Harvest when 50% of florets on the spire are open, typically during early morning for optimal water uptake. Expect vase life of ~7 days, depending on cultivar and conditioning. |
| Post Harvest Care | Cut stems should immediately be placed into buckets of deep, cool water after harvest - do not leave out of water for any period of time. Hydrating cut lupins can be challenging. Use commercial holding solutions and store in the cooler to maximize vase life. Avoid exposure to ethylene, which causes bud drop; include anti-ethylene treatments if necessary. Some old-school florists use the trick of filling the hollow stems with water and stuffing a cotton ball into the end as a plug. |
| Diseases / Insects | Generally pest-resistant. In greenhouse conditions, watch for thrips, spider mites, leaf miners, root and crown rot. Field-grown plants can be susceptible to powdery mildew and lupin aphids. Well draining soil is essential to avoid root problems. |
| Bailey's Notes | Russell lupins boast dramatic, densely packed flower spikes ideal for seasonal bouquets and arrangements. Once mature, their taproots help them access moisture, but they benefit from even irrigation during heat waves. Lupins' vibrant color range and pollinator-attracting nature make them a valuable addition to sustainable cut-flower production. In many areas these will self-sow and can naturalize in the landscape readily. If this is undesirable, simply deadhead the spent stems before they set seed. |
| Resources | NA |