The Stunning Russell Mix Lupine

Russell Mix Lupines are a gardener's dream, offering an extraordinary palette of colors in a single seed packet. These hybrid lupines were developed to bring together the best traits of various lupine species, resulting in plants that produce tall, densely-packed flower spikes in shades of pink, red, purple, blue, yellow, and white. Whether you're looking to create a rainbow garden or add sophisticated color combinations to your landscape, Russell Mix delivers stunning results.

What Makes Russell Mix Special

The Russell Mix represents decades of careful breeding to create lupines with improved vigor, disease resistance, and color range. These plants are taller than dwarf varieties, typically reaching 24 to 36 inches, making them ideal for creating dramatic focal points in garden beds and borders. The flower spikes are impressively full and showy, with individual blooms arranged in tight spirals that create a striking visual impact from spring through early summer.

Growing Conditions for Success

Russell Mix Lupines thrive in cool climates and prefer full sun with well-draining soil. They appreciate consistent moisture during the growing season but dislike waterlogged conditions. Plant seeds in fall or early spring, or start with transplants in spring. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for their mature size. These lupines are relatively hardy and can handle cooler regions, though they may struggle in hot, humid climates without afternoon shade and extra water.

Design and Planting Ideas

The color variety in Russell Mix makes them incredibly versatile for garden design. Plant them in drifts of mixed colors for a cottage garden feel, or separate colors to create more structured, formal displays. They pair beautifully with complementary perennials like delphiniums, foxgloves, and catmint. Their height makes them perfect for the middle or back of borders, where they create vertical interest and draw the eye upward through the garden.

Enjoying Extended Blooms

Russell Mix Lupines typically flower from late spring through early summer, providing weeks of color and pollinator activity. Deadheading spent flower spikes encourages additional blooms and extends the flowering season. For a more naturalized look, allow some flowers to mature and set seed, which can result in self-sown plants the following year, creating an ever-evolving garden display.

In Summary

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