Heirloom

Russell's Formula Mix

Lupinus polyphyllus

Photo: Ryan Hodnett · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Includes white, pink, violet-blue, red, yellow, peach, and bicolors. Sweetly scented blooms. Plants produce multiple blooms with stiff and 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 year. 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. Lupin 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 Russell's Formula Mix in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Russell's Formula Mix · Zones 4–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; drought tolerant once established

SeasonPerennial

ColorWhite, pink, violet-blue, red, yellow, peach, and bicolors

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

Elongated, flattened pod.

Type: Capsule.

Storage & Preservation

Russell's Formula Mix lupines are ornamental flowers grown for cut arrangements or garden display, not food storage. Cut flowers should be placed in cool water immediately after cutting and kept in a cool location (50-65°F) away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. Change water every 2-3 days and re-cut stems at an angle. Vase life typically extends 7-10 days. For preservation, air-dry flower spikes by hanging in a warm, dry location for dried arrangements, or press individual blooms between paper for botanical crafts. Seed pods can be collected and dried for seed saving in cool, dry storage.

History & Origin

Origin: America, Mediterranean to Tanzania

Advantages

+Attracts: Hummingbirds

Considerations

-Toxic (Seeds): Low severity

Companion Plants

Marigolds and sweet alyssum are the most practical neighbors — marigolds push aphids away through scent compounds in their foliage, while alyssum draws parasitic wasps (Braconidae and Chalcididae families) that work through the whole bed. Nasturtiums serve as a trap crop, pulling aphid colonies onto themselves and off the lupine stems. Chives and parsley fill the 12–18 inch height range without crowding lupine roots. Black walnut is the one to plant nowhere near — juglone leaches from roots and leaf litter and will stunt or kill lupines outright. Sunflowers pull from the same shallow moisture zone and tend to dominate it.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial predatory insects like lacewings and hoverflies

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away

Cosmos

Attract beneficial pollinators and predatory insects without competing for resources

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects and provides ground cover without competing heavily

Chives

Repel aphids and other soft-bodied insects with their strong scent

Zinnias

Attract butterflies and beneficial insects while providing complementary colors

Dill

Attracts beneficial wasps and ladybugs that prey on garden pests

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby plants

Sunflowers

Compete heavily for nutrients and water, and release growth-inhibiting compounds

Troubleshooting Russell's Formula Mix

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

Leaves covered in white or gray powdery coating, usually appearing mid-summer

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe species) — fungal, favored by warm days, cool nights, and poor air circulation
Crowded spacing below 18 inches that traps humidity around foliage

What to Do

1.Cut back affected stems to the crown; new growth will often come in clean
2.Space plants at least 18–24 inches apart and avoid overhead watering in the evening
3.Apply a diluted neem oil spray (2 tsp per quart of water) every 7 days while symptoms persist

Seedlings or young transplants cut off at soil level overnight

Likely Causes

Cutworms (Agrotis ipsilon or related species) — fat gray or brown caterpillars that feed at night
Loose, recently turned soil that provides easy pupation sites near the planting bed

What to Do

1.Press a cardboard or plastic collar 2 inches into the soil around each transplant stem
2.Hand-pick cutworms from the soil an inch or two down around damaged plants at dusk
3.Apply beneficial nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae) to the bed before planting next season

Leaves stippled silver or bronze, with fine webbing on the undersides in hot, dry spells

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — thrive when temperatures exceed 85°F and humidity drops
Dusty conditions on dry, unirrigated beds

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong jet of water every 2–3 days to knock mites off
2.Apply insecticidal soap (1 tbsp per quart of water) directly to leaf undersides — coverage matters more than volume
3.Keep plants consistently watered; drought-stressed lupines are far more susceptible

Leaves yellowing and wilting from the base up, with roots appearing brown and rotted at the crown

Likely Causes

Crown rot or root rot — most often Phytophthora or Pythium species in heavy, waterlogged soil
Clay-heavy beds with poor drainage that hold water after rain

What to Do

1.Dig and remove affected plants entirely — don't compost them
2.Raise the bed 4–6 inches or work coarse grit into the planting area before replanting to get water moving through
3.Scale back irrigation; Russell lupines want the top inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings, not a permanently wet root zone

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Russell's Formula Mix lupines?▼

Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost, or direct sow outdoors in fall for spring germination. In cooler climates, fall sowing improves germination rates. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when they have 2-3 true leaves. For faster flowering, you can also buy established plants in spring.

How long do Russell's Formula Mix flowers last on the plant?▼

Individual flower spikes bloom for 3-4 weeks during their peak season. First-year plants typically bloom in early July and last through August. Second-year plants flower earlier (early June) and produce longer-lasting displays with better quality blooms. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage additional smaller spikes later in the season.

Can you grow Russell's Formula Mix lupines in containers?▼

Yes, they can be grown in containers, though they prefer in-ground planting. Use large pots (12+ inches deep) with well-draining soil. Container-grown lupines need consistent moisture and may require afternoon shade in hot climates. They perform best where summers are cool, so containers help provide temperature control in warmer regions.

Are Russell's Formula Mix lupines good for beginners?▼

Yes, lupines are rated as Easy to grow and beginner-friendly. They're hardy perennials in Zones 4-8, pest and deer-resistant, and require only full sun to partial shade and regular water. They do prefer cooler summers, so gardeners in hot climates may find them more challenging, but they're forgiving plants overall.

What do Russell's Formula Mix lupine flowers attract?▼

These sweetly scented lupines attract bees and hummingbirds, making them excellent for pollinator gardens. The dense spikes of pea-like flowers provide abundant nectar and pollen as a food source throughout their bloom period. They're also deer and rabbit resistant, making them ideal for wildlife-friendly gardens.

How do I get Russell's Formula Mix to bloom earlier in the season?▼

Plant well-established plants or larger transplants for better second-year performance. Once established, Russell's Formula Mix blooms about a month earlier (early June) than first-year plants. Provide full sun, ensure consistent moisture, and deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming. Cool summer temperatures also improve bloom timing and quality.