Poppysue, I want to thank you so much for the seeds you sent me last year from your Plum Purple Lupine! The seeds germinated well, and the resulting plants were healthy and vigorous. I planted one in my new bed, and while many of my other lupines didn't survive, the Plum Purple Lupine is thriving. It just set its first blooms recently, and I wanted you to see them!
Weez,that is a beauty!! I love that color-very showy.I have never grown Lupines-will they grow in zone 7b?
Beautiful! That poppy is a generous person~
Weezer, the more you post the more I think I should put Seward on my list of places to see. Esp your yard. Lupines won't grow for me and that one looks so nice and sturdy.
I had always heard/thought Lupins didn't come true very often from seed. Is this close to the parent plant? I really like it! Are some lupins better at coming true than others?
TIA,
Brenda
Langbr, I've never seen Poppysue's lupine, so I don't know if it looks like the parent plant or not. Maybe she'll pop in and tell us. I would think species lupines would be better at coming true from seed, but even our native lupines can cross polinate with subspecies and be a little different in different areas.
Blooms, you certainly ought to put Alaska on your travel list. There are some pretty awesome things to see, and it's very lush and green here in the summer. You're welcome to walk my garden anytime!
Colie, according to the information I've read, lupines should grow through USDA Zone 7.
Weeds, yes, Poppysue is very generous. I have plants out in my yard that came from her seeds, and they are always a joy.
I have lupine seeds here from our hillsides in Los Angeles so certainly they go beyond zone 7 to zone 10!!
Yours are gorgeous, weez!
That's good to know, Daisy. Lupines are beautiful when the season is right here. Sometimes they winter kill, and sometimes the slugs eat them down to a little nub and they don't have time to recover before the season is over. I had one large blue Russell's that finally died of old age, I think.
I was really impressed with the vigor of this one. From the time the seedlings came up last spring, they were hardier looking than the other varieties I started. I'll email Poppysue and see what variety it is.
That one just came out of a package of mixed Russell lupines. I really liked the shade of purple so I made a point to collect seeds from it. Looks like yours is pretty close, Weez.
I have babies pop up all over. The colors vary and so does the plants vigour. I keep the ones I like and dig out any that aren't cutting the mustard ;o)
I'm glad to see your pictures, Weezie. It's always nice to see what becomes of my babies!
Sue,your Lupines are beautiful!!
I have never grown Lupines before-if you have any extra seeds of these-would you please trade or sase a few of these beauties?
Thanks, Poppysue. You always grow such beautiful lupines! I talked to a garden friend down the road, and she also has one of your plum purple lupine. Go out and tell your Russells they have relatives in Alaska.
LOL!!! "relatives in Alaska"!!! That's what I told eclipse about his columbine seeds from last year......babies all over the state of Kansas from all the seedlings I shared! Isn't that just the greatest part of trading & sharing??
I'd say those came pretty true to color. Hmmmm....thinking I'm gonna have to get some lupin seeds in some trades now.
Lupines are pretty impressive. There are tall or short varieties, and just about any color you can imagine.
I wish they would just last a little longer. Seems like they go by so fast....
I read an interesting article about the fella that bred the Russell strain. He selected for bright colors and dense flower arrangement. The flowers should be dense enough so you can't see the stem supporting them. I know I can see the stem on all of mine - LOL. Some are more susceptible to pest too... a nasty little aphid seems to go for the lighter colored ones.
Poppysue, I read that interesting article also. If by any chance you get some extra seeds of your lovely purple lupine I would love to try some. I grow lupine every year they are so pretty but so far none as pretty a purple as yours.
Weezingreens, Three friends and i are going on a week cruise , inside passage, next month to Alaska. I have been in all but four 0f the states and Alaska is one i hadn't been to.We are going on ms Amsterdam, and I don't think close to Seward. i would love to stop and visit you and see your garden. Donna
Donna, you're going to love Alaska! I'd love to have you and your friends visit, if you have the chance. If the ship docks in Seward, it is probably for you to disembark and head for Anchorage to fly home. They are so strange about passengers leaving the ship or going into town here before heading back. I don't know why. If you do disembark in Seward, check into options before you sail. They'll give you the run around once you are on board.
Poppysue: Well, maybe you can see the stem on your lupine, but it certainly is more impressive than any I've ever grown.
I think I read that same article!! If I recall correctly didn't they say that the work Russell did was somewhat lost? Meaning that after he passed away that the hybrids he developed lost favor or reverted back to more species-like characteristics as there was no one left to continue his work? I think it also went on to say someone is renewing his work and working on new hybrids in the same vein and traits he selected? Maybe we'll have some exciting new hybrids in a few years (10?) to look forward to?
Brenda
How interesting, Brenda. One seldom hears about the work involved in developing the beautiful flowers we grow.
I just re-read my post....what's with all the question marks?? I need to stop posting so late! LOL!
LOL! I didn't even notice, Brenda? It seemed pretty normal to me?
