Product Description
Lupinus Popsicle Series - Mixed (30)ct Flat
Popsicle Series
Common Name: Lupine
Popsicle Series - Mixed is a mixed seed strain of lupines that includes a wide range of blue, purple, yellow, red, pink, and bicolor flowers. They are about a foot shorter than the Russell Hybrids and bloom about 2 weeks earlier too.
Lupines really come into their own during warm, sunny days and cool nights and look especially lovely when grown in masses with similar varieties. A memorable sight for any garden lover, these beautiful plants grow into well-established clumps, with several stems rising up out of a single base. A bouquet of Lupines has no equal!
Grow Lupines in full sun or light shade. They require rich organic soil with slight acidity and good drainage. They thrive in cool climates and find it difficult to survive in areas with extremely hot summers. Applying mulch around the root zone will help to keep the roots cool and will protect them over the winter. Deadheading spent flowers will prolong the bloom time, as well as rejuvenate the plants in cool areas. These plants tend to attract aphids, but this can be avoided by cutting them back periodically or spraying for the pests before they become a problem.
Height: 18.0-24.0 Inches
Spread: 12.0-16.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6
Flower Color: Multicolored
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) - Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Average Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Summer
Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds
Bee Friendly
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Cut Foliage, Fragrant Flowers, Mass Planting, Salt Tolerant
The Lupinus Popsicle Series - Mixed is a vibrant and cheerful blend of lupines that brings a kaleidoscope of colors to the garden. These lupines are known for their shorter stature compared to other varieties, making them ideal for smaller gardens or the front of borders. Here is a closer look at their delightful features:
Appearance:
- Colorful Flower Spikes: The Popsicle Series boasts a wide range of colors, including blue, purple, yellow, red, pink, and even bicolor combinations. The flowers are arranged on tall, upright spikes, creating a vertical accent in the garden.
- Palmate Leaves: The flowers are complemented by attractive, dark green, palmate leaves, adding further interest to the plant.
- Compact Habit: These lupines typically grow to about 18 to 24 inches tall, making them a more compact option compared to taller varieties like the Russell Hybrids.
Growing Conditions:
- Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to light shade.
- Soil: Prefers well-drained soil with slight acidity. It is important to avoid heavy clay soils, as they can retain too much moisture and lead to root rot.
- Hardiness Zones: Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4-8, making it a versatile choice for many gardeners.
Growing from Seed:
- Sowing: Seeds can be sown directly in the garden in spring or started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost.
- Scarification: Lupine seeds have a hard outer coating, so scarification can improve germination rates. You can achieve this by nicking the seed coat with a file or soaking the seeds in warm water for 24 hours before sowing.
- Cold Stratification: Cold stratification can also aid germination. You can chill the seeds in the refrigerator for a few weeks before sowing.
Care:
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to keep the soil moist.
- Deadheading: Deadheading spent flower spikes can encourage additional blooms and prevent self-seeding.
Uses:
- Borders: Adds a vertical element and a burst of color to borders and beds.
- Cottage Gardens: The cheerful colors and informal habit make them a perfect fit for cottage gardens.
- Meadow Gardens: Creates a beautiful display when planted in groups in meadow gardens or naturalized areas.
- Cut Flowers: The long-lasting flower spikes are excellent for cutting and using in arrangements.
- Pollinator Gardens: The flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
Additional Information:
- Early Bloom: The Popsicle Series blooms about 2 weeks earlier than taller lupine varieties.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistant: Deer and rabbits tend to avoid lupines.
- Attracts Wildlife: The flowers attract pollinators, and the seeds provide food for birds.
If you are looking for a colorful and compact lupine that is easy to grow and brings a cheerful touch to the garden, the Lupinus Popsicle Series - Mixed is an excellent choice. Its diverse range of colors and early bloom time will add beauty and life to any sunny garden.
Thirty (30) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 3 inches deep x 2 inches wide.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
