Russell Hybrid Lupines
Lupinus × 'Russell Hybrid'
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Russell Hybrid Lupines - #1 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™

Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
Under $50 | $9.99 |
$50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
$100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
$150+ | $24.99 |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Russell Hybrid Lupines highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
-
Brand
-
Botanical Name
-
Growing Zones
-
Mature Height
-
Mature Spread
-
Sun ExposureFull Sun
-
Moisture
-
Soil
-
Growth RateMedium
-
Flower Color
-
Pollinator Friendly
-
Pruning Time
-
Bloom PeriodLate Spring, Summer

Growing Zones
Colorful Cottage Garden and Alpine Favorite
Looking to paint your garden with vertical brushstrokes of color? The Russell Hybrid Lupine (Lupinus × 'Russell Hybrid') is a classic perennial that sends up tall, dramatic spires of colorful pea-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, red, yellow, and white. Blooming in late spring to early summer, these upright flower clusters rise above its lush, palmate foliage, making it a must-have for cottage gardens, borders, and pollinator patches.
This hybrid Lupine is famed for its dense flower spikes that reach an impressive 3-4 feet tall while staying narrow at just 1-2 feet wide, creating a strong vertical accent in the garden. The foliage is attractively fern-like, with rich green, deeply divided leaves that provide interest even when not in bloom. After flowering, attractive seed pods add texture and seasonal charm.
>>Jump to Planting & Care Instructions
Key Features
Native Lupines hail from North America and Europe, and these hybrids were bred in the 20th century by George Russell in England, combining vigor and a broader color palette.
- Tall, colorful flower spikes in a wide range of hues
- Perennial in USDA zones 4-8
- Grows 3-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide
- Pollinator-friendly - attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
- Nitrogen-fixing plant that improves soil health
Landscaping Uses
Members of the Pea family (Fabaceae), Lupines enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen and are long-loved as both ornamentals and symbols of imagination and creativity. Russell Hybrid Lupines add bold vertical height and vibrant color wherever you plant them. With their tall, upright habit, they make excellent backdrop plants in beds and borders.
- Cottage gardens for a nostalgic look
- Mixed perennial borders for height and drama
- Pollinator and butterfly gardens
- Cut flower arrangements
- Naturalized plantings or wildflower-style meadows
Care & Maintenance
Hardy in USDA zones 4-8, Russell Hybrid Lupines are herbaceous perennials (learn more about planting perennials) that thrive in cool climates. They prefer moderate summers and well-drained soils.
- Planting Time - Best planted in spring or fall
- Sun Requirements - Full sun to part sun (afternoon shade helps in hot regions)
- Soil Requirements - Well-drained, slightly acidic soil - dislikes clay or compacted soils
- Moisture Needs - Moderate water needs; check soil with the Finger Test. Keep evenly moist the first year.
- Mulch - Add a 3-4 inch layer of Arborist mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temps
- Fertilization Needs - Generally low, since Lupines fix nitrogen, but compost in spring is beneficial
- Pruning Info - Deadheading encourages repeat blooms; cut back after flowering to tidy growth
- Division Info - Can be divided every 4-5 years if clumps become too dense
- Special Perks - Deer-resistant, attracts pollinators, low-maintenance, and improves soil
Don't forget to order your Nature Hills Root Booster for lifelong mycorrhizal root support.
Lupine Love - A Towering Rainbow For Your Garden!
If you crave height, color, and pollinator activity, the Russell Hybrid Lupine is your garden powerhouse. These spectacular flower spikes will bring a cottage-garden feel and soil-boosting benefits. Order your Russell Hybrid Lupines today from Nature Hills and bring a rainbow of blooms to your backyard!