(Lupinus polyphyllus ‘Russell’)
Russell Lupine is a native short-lived perennial flower that grows in moist meadows and along roads and shorelines throughout the northwestern United States. When fully grown, this plant can grow up to 12-24 inches tall and has stem spikes that are 1-2 feet long. It also has star-shaped leaflet clusters and beautiful pea-like flowers that range in pink, red, yellow, and blue. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer, and is used as a cut flower!
Genus: Lupinus
Species: polyphyllus
Variety: Russell Lupine
Also Known As: Streamside Lupine, Bigleaf Lupine, Garden Lupine, Large-leaved Lupine, Washington Lupine
Native to: Alberta, British Columbia, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Ontario, Oregon, Québec, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin.
Introduced into: Altay, Argentina South, Austria, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Central European Rus, Chile South, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Illinois, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk, Mongolia, Netherlands, New South Wales, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, North European Russi, Northwest European R, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, South Australia, South European Russi, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Ukraine, Victoria, West Siberia, Yugoslavia.
Ease of Growing: Moderate
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Blooms): Spring
Attracts Beneficial Insects: Yes. Lupine attracts native bees, bumble bees, and other beneficial insects with its nectar and pollen-rich flowers that bloom from mid-spring into mid-summer. It also attracts hummingbirds, contributing to the biodiversity of any site.
Height: 12-36”
Spacing: 6-12”
Sow Depth: 1/2"
USDA Zone: 3a-7b
Produces: 1-2' stem spikes, star-shaped leaflet clusters, and pink, red, yellow, and blue pea-like flowers.
Toxicity: The seed of many lupine species contain bitter-tasting toxic alkaloids, though there are often sweet varieties within that species that are completely wholesome[65, 76]. Taste is a very clear indicator. These toxic alkaloids can be leeched out of the seed by soaking it overnight and discarding the soak water. It may also be necessary to change the water once during cooking. Fungal toxins also readily invade the crushed seed and can cause chronic illness
hummingbirds, contributing to the biodiversity of any site.
Ornamental: Also commonly known as garden lupine, its pleasant fragrance and tall, showy flowers make the plant a favorite ornamental for gardeners across the country. Take care to manage the lupines properly as some ornamental hybrids can become weedy and problematic.
Restoration: Plants may be used for prairie or wetland restoration as an important component of the native flora. They are deep rooted and suitable for erosion control and soil stabilization. Also, as a native legume, they can be used in revegetation of logging roads or clear cuts as nitrogen fixers (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994).
Suggested Varieties
(Cucumis sativus 'Lemon')
Lemon Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to India, but was introduced into the United States by Samuel Wilson in 1894. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 3-4' and features 2-4” round, yellow cucumbers that bare black spines. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, deters cucumber beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucumis sativus 'Marketmore 76')
Marketmore 76' Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to New York, where it was developed in Ithaca by Henry Munger at Cornell University in 1976. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 4-6' and features 8-9” straight, dark green, slightly tapered, white spined cucumbers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, deters cucumber beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Melothria scabra 'Mexican Sour Gherkin')
Mexican Sour Gherkin Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. But is commonly grown in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-48” and features 1" green and white watermelon shaped melons. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is edible!
(Cucumis sativus 'National Pickling')
National Pickling Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Michigan, where it was developed by George Starr of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station in 1924. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 36-48” and features 6” medium green, tender skin cucumbers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucumis sativus 'Straight Eight')
Straight Eight Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Massachusetts, where it was developed by Ferry-Morse Seed Company in 1935. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-12' and features 8” straight, dark green cucumbers with white spines. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucumis sativus 'Sumter')
Sumter Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to South Carolina, where it was developed by W.C. Barnes of the Clemson Agricultural Experiment. Station and was first distributed by Asgrow Seed Company in 1973. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-48” and features blocky, slightly tapered, medium-green 5" cucumbers with white spines. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucumis sativus 'Wisconsin SMR 58')
Wisconsin SMR 58' Cucumber is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Wisconsin, where it was developed by the University of Wisconsin in 1959. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 36-72” and features 4-6" dark green, black-spined cucumbers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, earwigs, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, beetles, repels roaches, is rabbit safe, is used to make cosmetic cleansers, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Dark Green')
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Dark Green Zucchini is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico but can be found growing throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features 4-7" small, uniform, high-quality fruit that has dark green with light fleck skin. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Black Beauty ')
Black Beauty Zucchini is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Storrs, Connecticut where it was bred at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station by John Scarchuk in the 1920's. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features 6-8" shiny black-green zucchini with creamy, white flesh. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Early White Bush Scallop')
Early White Scallop Bush Summer Squash is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico but can be found growing throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-48” and features creamy white, 7” across and 3” deep scalloped squashes. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Early Yellow Crookneck')
Early Yellow Crookneck Summer Squash is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico but can be found growing throughout in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 5-6" light yellow, crookneck squashes with slightly warted skin. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Grey Zucchini')
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Grey Zucchini is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico but can be found growing throughout in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 7-9" zucchini with mottled grayish green skin. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita pepo 'Scallop Yellow Bush')
Yellow Bush Scallop Summer Squash is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Mexico but can be found growing throughout in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 2-3" bright yellow, rounded patty pan squashes with scalloped edges. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita maxima 'Sweet Meat')
Sweet Meat Winter Squash is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to the United States and was first offered in Portland, Oregon by the Gill Brothers Seed company in 1947. At maturity, the vines of this plant reach the length of 6-10' and features rounded, pale bluish gray squashes that average 10-20 lbs. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita maxima 'Vegetable Spaghetti')
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Vegetable Spaghetti Winter Squash is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to China, but was introduced into the United States by Burpee Seed Company in 1936. At maturity, the vines of this plant reach the length of 8' and features 9-12” oval, cream colored squashes that average 5-7 lbs. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Cucurbita maxima 'Waltham Butternut')
Waltham Butternut Winter Squash is a heirloom, tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to Massachusetts where it was bred by Bob Young in Waltham, Massachusetts. At maturity, the vines of this plant reach the length of 6-9' and features 8-12” long. pale tan squashes that have yellowish-orange flesh and average 3-6 lbs. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, pollinating moths, and predatory wasps, is horse and rabbit safe, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Brassica oleracea 'Calabrese Green Sprouting')
Calabrese Green Sprouting Broccoli is an Italian heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean region, but brought to America by the D'Arrigo brothers between 1904-11, and first offered to the public in 1923. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 30-36” and features erect stalks, 6” bluish-green centered floret, multiple side shoots, and yellow flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, and is edible.
(Brassica oleracea 'Purple Sprouting')
Purple Sprouting Broccoli is an Italian heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean region, but was introduced to the United States not long after they were listed in the French Vilmorin-Andrieux seed catalog in 1885. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-36” and features thin stem, side shoots of loose clusters of 3-5” purple florets, and bladed leaves. This plant can be grown in a container, is rabbit safe, tolerates frost, and is edible.
(Brassica oleracea 'Waltham 29')
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Waltham 29 Broccoli is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to Waltham, MA., where it was developed by the University of Massachusetts in 1950. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features a 4-6” blue-green central broccoli head, and side shoots that bare 1” florets. This plant can be grown in a container, is rabbit safe, tolerates frost, and is edible.
(Spinacia oleracea 'Bloomsdale Longstanding')
Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to Philadelphia where is was developed by David Landreth in 1826. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features thick, wrinkled, dark green leaves. This plant can be grown in a container, is rabbit safe, frost tolerant, is used to make dyes, and is both edible and medicinal!