Heirloom

My Castle

Lupinus polyphyllus

Photo: Krzysztof Golik · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Part of the Russell Hybrids 'Band of Nobles' series. My Castle has sweetly scented, rich red blooms that are a standout in bouquets and garden beds. Plants are especially productive for us and produce multiple blooms with stiff, straight stems. In our trials, these first-year flowering plants bloomed in early July in the first year and about a month earlier (early June) from well-established plants in the second season of growing. Bloom quality and productivity were better in the second season, although all plants did produce flowers in the first season. Performs best where summers are cool. Attracts and provides a food source for bees and hummingbirds. 1-2' blooms/spikes are densely covered with ½" pea-like flowers. Lupine is typically resistant to deer and rabbits. Perennial in Zones 4-8.

Harvest

150-190d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

4–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

3-4 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for My Castle in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

My Castle · Zones 4–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, slightly acidic to neutral pH preferred

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; moderate watering

SeasonPerennial

ColorRich red

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Mountains.

Harvesting

My Castle reaches harvest at 150 - 190 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds.

Elongated, flattened pod.

Type: Capsule.

Storage & Preservation

Cut lupine flowers perform best when displayed in a cool room (65-72°F) with moderate humidity. Place freshly cut stems in cool water immediately after harvest, keeping flowers away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. Lupine blooms typically last 7-10 days in a vase. For preservation, air-dry flower spikes by hanging bundles upside down in a warm, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks to create long-lasting dried arrangements. Alternatively, press individual flowers between parchment paper under weight for 2-4 weeks to preserve for crafts. Freeze flower petals in ice cube trays with water for decorative uses in beverages.

History & Origin

My Castle is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: America, Mediterranean to Tanzania

Advantages

+Rich red blooms are striking in bouquets and garden arrangements
+Multiple flowers per plant with stiff, straight stems for cutting
+Flowers reliably in first year, better in established second season
+Cool-season performer attracts bees and hummingbirds for pollination
+Deer and rabbit resistant perennial hardy in zones four through eight

Considerations

-Requires cool summers to perform best; struggles in hot climates
-Needs well-draining soil and consistent moisture to prevent root rot
-Blooms later in first season (early July) compared to year two

Companion Plants

Marigolds and Sweet Alyssum planted nearby attract parasitic wasps and hoverflies that help control aphid pressure — lupines in full bloom pull aphids in, so having that predator habitat within a few feet matters. Nasturtiums work as a trap crop, drawing aphids onto themselves and away from the flower spikes. Lavender and Catmint make practical spatial sense: both share lupine's preference for sharper drainage and won't compete hard at the root zone. Black Walnut is a hard no — it releases juglone through its roots across a wide radius, and lupines are sensitive enough to show dieback and stunting even at the edge of that zone. Fennel causes similar problems and doesn't play well with most perennials regardless.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles

Zinnia

Attracts beneficial insects and butterflies for pollination

Catmint

Repels ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting beneficial pollinators

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides structural support

Chives

Repel aphids and improve overall plant health

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of many flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Allelopathic compounds suppress growth of nearby plants

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic effects

Troubleshooting My Castle

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Gray, powdery coating on leaves and stems, usually appearing mid-summer on established plants

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni or related species) — thrives when days are warm and nights cool with low airflow
Crowded spacing under 18 inches, which traps humidity around the foliage

What to Do

1.Cut affected stems down to the basal rosette and dispose of them — don't compost them
2.Thin any plants closer than 18 inches apart to open up airflow
3.Apply a diluted neem oil spray (2 tsp per quart of water) every 7 days if the problem is spreading

Leaves stippled with tiny pale dots, undersides showing fine webbing in dry weather

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — populations explode when temperatures stay above 85°F and plants are water-stressed

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong stream of water three days in a row to knock mites off
2.Keep soil consistently moist — water-stressed lupines draw mite colonies far faster than well-watered ones
3.If mites persist, apply insecticidal soap (1 tbsp per quart of water) directly to leaf undersides

Irregular holes chewed in leaves and flower buds overnight, with silvery slime trails visible in the morning

Likely Causes

Slugs (Deroceras reticulatum or similar) — especially active in cool, wet springs when lupines are putting out new growth

What to Do

1.Set out iron phosphate bait (Sluggo or equivalent) around the base of plants at dusk — safe around pets and wildlife
2.Pull mulch back a few inches from the crown so slugs lose their daytime hiding spots
3.Hand-pick after dark with a headlamp for fast knockdown during a bad outbreak

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do My Castle lupine flowers last once cut?▼

Cut My Castle blooms typically last 7-10 days in a vase when kept in cool water away from direct sunlight. Refresh water every 2-3 days and remove any lower foliage to extend vase life. Second-year plants produce longer-lasting blooms with superior quality compared to first-year plantings.

Can you grow My Castle lupines in containers?▼

Yes, My Castle can be grown in containers with well-drained soil and adequate depth (at least 12 inches) for root development. Container-grown plants may require more frequent watering and benefit from afternoon shade in hot climates. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.

When should I plant My Castle lupine seeds?▼

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost, or direct sow after the last frost date in your region. My Castle germinates best with cool stratification; refrigerate seeds for 3-4 weeks before planting. First-year plants bloom in early July; established second-year plants flower in early June.

Is My Castle lupine good for beginners?▼

Yes, My Castle is rated as easy to grow and is ideal for beginners. These perennials are hardy in Zones 4-8, deer and rabbit resistant, and naturally attract pollinators. Plants thrive with minimal maintenance in full sun to partial shade locations.

How far apart should I space My Castle lupine plants?▼

Space plants 18-24 inches apart to allow adequate air circulation and room for mature growth. Proper spacing reduces disease pressure and ensures each plant receives sufficient light and nutrients for optimal bloom production and plant vigor.

What growing conditions does My Castle lupine prefer?▼

My Castle performs best in cool-summer climates with full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours daily). Plants prefer well-drained soil and moderate, consistent watering. Second-season plants yield superior blooms and earlier flowering compared to first-year plantings.