The Governor
Lupinus polyphyllus
Photo: Maksim S. · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY 3.0)
Part of the Russell Hybrids 'Band of Nobles' series. The Governor has sweetly scented bicolor blooms in blue-purple with white. Plants 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
Showing dates for The Governor in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 flower →Zone Map
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The Governor · Zones 4–9
Growing Details
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
Part of the Russell Hybrids 'Band of Nobles' series. The Governor has sweetly scented bicolor blooms in blue-purple with white. Plants 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. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, The Governor is 150 - 190 days to maturity, perennial, open pollinated. Notable features: Heirloom, Grows Well in Containers, Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Fragrant, Attracts Beneficial Insects.
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
The Governor reaches harvest at 150 - 190 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds.
Elongated, flattened pod.
Type: Capsule.
Storage & Preservation
As a cut flower, The Governor lupine blooms should be placed in cool water immediately after cutting, kept in a cool location (60-65°F) away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. Store in the refrigerator if not displaying immediately; blooms last 7-10 days with regular water changes. For preservation: (1) Air-dry flower spikes by hanging them upside-down in a dark, well-ventilated space for dried arrangements lasting months; (2) Press individual florets between heavy books or flower press for crafting and botanical collections; (3) Freeze-dry whole spikes in a home freeze-dryer for 3-dimensional dried flower arrangements.
History & Origin
The Governor 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
- +Bicolor blue-purple and white blooms are stunning and sweetly scented
- +Produces multiple tall spikes with densely packed flowers on stiff stems
- +Blooms prolifically in year two, flowering a month earlier than year one
- +Attracts bees and hummingbirds while resisting deer and rabbit damage
- +Easy to grow perennial reliable in zones four through eight
Considerations
- -Requires cool summer climates and struggles in hot regions
- -First-year flowering is sparse compared to established second-year plants
- -Lupines prefer well-draining soil and decline in wet conditions
- -Tall one to two foot spikes may require staking in windy areas
Companion Plants
In our zone 7 Georgia garden, Tagetes patula marigolds earn a front-row spot because they deter the aphids that zero in on lupine flower spikes once temperatures climb past 70°F. Sweet alyssum draws parasitic wasps that keep soft-bodied pest pressure from compounding, and yarrow does similar work without shading the lupine's lower leaves. Fennel is allelopathic to a wide range of neighbors — its root exudates suppress germination and stunt nearby perennials — so give it its own bed entirely. Black walnut is the harder line: juglone, the compound it releases through roots and leaf litter, kills lupines quickly, and the affected zone extends well past the canopy edge.
Plant Together
Marigolds
Repel nematodes, aphids, and other harmful insects while attracting beneficial pollinators
Sweet Alyssum
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control pests
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing them away from main plants
Lavender
Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting bees and butterflies
Chives
Deter aphids, Japanese beetles, and carrot flies with their strong scent
Cosmos
Attract beneficial insects and provide habitat for predatory bugs that control garden pests
Yarrow
Improves soil health and attracts ladybugs, lacewings, and other beneficial insects
Sunflowers
Provide windbreak protection and attract pollinators and beneficial insects
Keep Apart
Black Walnut Trees
Release juglone, a natural herbicide that inhibits growth of many flowering plants
Eucalyptus
Produces allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby plants
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic root secretions
Troubleshooting The Governor
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Powdery white or gray coating on leaves, usually starting mid-summer on older foliage
Likely Causes
- Powdery mildew (Erysiphe spp.) — thrives in warm days with cool nights and poor airflow
- Overcrowded planting at less than 18-inch spacing
What to Do
- 1.Cut affected stems down to the basal rosette — lupines often push back with fresh foliage within a few weeks
- 2.Space plants at the full 24-inch width to let air move through
- 3.Water at the base in the morning rather than overhead in the evening
Leaves stippled yellow or bronze with fine webbing on the undersides, plant looks dusty and tired
Likely Causes
- Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — populations can double in 3-5 days during hot, dry stretches above 85°F
- Drought stress reducing the plant's ability to outpace feeding damage
What to Do
- 1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong jet of water three days running to knock mite numbers down
- 2.Apply insecticidal soap (2-3% solution) to the undersides of leaves in the early morning
- 3.Mulch the root zone with 2-3 inches of straw to hold soil moisture and reduce heat stress
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do The Governor lupine flowers last as cut flowers?▼
Is The Governor lupine good for beginner gardeners?▼
Can you grow The Governor lupine in containers?▼
When should I plant The Governor lupine seeds?▼
What does The Governor lupine attract to the garden?▼
How much sun does The Governor lupine need?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- BreederJohnny's Selected Seeds
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.