Garden Lupine
The Governor Lupine is a hardy, long-lived perennial that brings towering spikes of color to partial shade gardens across zones 4, 8. This open-pollinated cultivar grows 24, 40 inches tall and produces flowers worth cutting for indoor arrangements, reaching peak bloom around 150, 190 days from sowing. Its deep taproot and sturdy growth habit make it a reliable presence in the garden year after year, rewarding gardeners who give it space to establish.
18-24 inches apart
Partial Shade
Moderate
4-8
40in H x ?in W
Perennial
Low
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This is a hardy perennial lupine bred for longevity and ease of care. The Governor produces abundant flower spikes suited to cutting, and it's genuinely low-maintenance once established. What sets it apart is its open-pollinated nature, you can save seed and grow your own plants from year to year. The variety tolerates partial shade, expanding planting options beyond the typical full-sun lupine garden.
The Governor Lupine is grown primarily for cut flowers. The tall, sturdy flower spikes are ideal for fresh arrangements, bringing vertical interest and vibrant color to indoor displays. With around 80% of blooms on each spike opening, you get reliable, long-lasting flower production suitable for cutting at the right stage.
Sow seeds 4–8 weeks before your intended transplant date, using deep cell trays like 50-cell Deep or 32-cell trays to give taproots plenty of room to develop. Shallower 50-cell or 72-cell trays can work if you transplant promptly and don't delay—restricting the root system will compromise plant quality. Thin to one strong seedling per cell when the first true leaves appear.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off. The Governor's seedlings tolerate light frost, so you can plant out relatively early in spring once soil is workable. Space plants 18 inches apart to give each one adequate room for root and shoot expansion.
Cut flower spikes when approximately 80% of the blooms along the spike have opened, ensuring you capture them at peak freshness for arrangements. Cut stems in the early morning or evening when hydration is highest, using clean, sharp tools to make clean cuts. The more you harvest, the more the plant tends to produce additional floral spikes.
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