Lupinus polyphyllus 'Russell My Castle' – beautiful red flower clusters for borders and cutting gardens

Lupinus polyphyllus 'Russell My Castle' is a striking perennial from the renowned Russell series, known for its tall, elegant flower clusters in brilliant red. This cultivar combines vigorous growth with long-lasting blooms, making it a real eye-catcher in borders, prairie gardens, and cutting gardens.

The intense red color of the flower spikes gives any garden a warm, vibrant look and creates a beautiful contrast with other perennials, such as yellow Salvia, white Campanula, or blue-flowering Delphinium. Moreover, Lupinus polyphyllus 'Russell My Castle' attracts beneficial insects such as bees, bumblebees, and butterflies, contributing to a biodiverse garden.

Characteristics of Lupinus polyphyllus 'Russell My Castle'

• Flower color: bright red

• Height: 90–120 cm

• Flowering period: May – June, with the possibility of re-flowering if the spent ears are removed.

• Leaf: palmate, fresh green

• Winter hardy: yes

In the first year, the plant develops a healthy rosette of leaves. In the second year, spectacular blooms appear: tall, sturdy flower clusters that retain their intense red color for a long time. Its vertical growth and generous flower spikes make this Lupine ideal as an accent plant or as part of a colorful group planting.

Location and care

Lupinus polyphyllus 'Russell My Castle' grows best in a sunny to lightly shaded spot in well-drained, humus-rich soil. It does not tolerate heavy or wet soil well. The plant is winter-hardy and can remain in the same location for several years.

Care tips:

• Sow directly in the open ground from March to June or start indoors for later planting out.

• Provide water during dry periods, especially in the first year.

• Remove faded flower clusters to encourage reblooming.

• Divide older plants to maintain flowering power.

An additional benefit of Lupinus polyphyllus is that it fixes nitrogen in the soil, which supports the growth of surrounding plants.

Application in garden and border

The 'My Castle' Lupine is ideal for medium to tall borders, prairie gardens, and cutting gardens. The generous red flower spikes create a beautiful contrast with shorter or pastel-colored plants. Ornamental grasses and green groundcovers provide an airy backdrop, making the vertical clusters stand out even more.

Thanks to its sturdy stems, this lupine is also very suitable as a cut flower. The flowers retain their shape and color for a long time in a vase, making them popular for bouquets and flower arrangements.

Why choose Lupinus polyphyllus 'Russell My Castle'?

✔ Radiant red flower clusters – a real eye-catcher in the border
✔ Long flowering period and the possibility of repeat flowering
✔ Winter hardy and easy to maintain
✔ Attractive to bees, bumblebees and butterflies
✔ Ideal for borders, cutting gardens and prairie gardens
✔ Soil-improving through nitrogen fixation