Use & Care NotesCompanion Plants
Popsicle Mix Lupine: Mixed-Color Spikes That Hand Off to Lavender
Save
Popsicle Mix lupine is a seed-grown mix, so every plant is a little surprise: blue, purple, yellow, red, pink, or a bicolor with a colored lower half and white or pale tips. The plants run about a foot shorter than classic tall lupines and start blooming a couple of weeks sooner, with dense, tapering spikes that stand up without staking.
Lupines share lavender's love of sun and sharp drainage, and their spikes bloom just before the first lavender opens. It is a nice relay: lupines first, then lavender picks up the purple.
Popsicle Mix at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lupinus Popsicle Mix |
| Flowers | Mixed blue, purple, yellow, red, pink and bicolors; colors vary plant to plant |
| Foliage | Palmate, narrow green leaflets |
| Size | 18 to 24 inches tall, 12 to 16 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late May, peaks early June |
| Hardiness | Best in USDA zones 4 to 6 |
| Fragrance | Light, sweet and a little peppery |
| Wildlife | Great for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds; moderately deer resistant |
A cottage-garden opener
Lupines and lavender both say cottage garden, and they make a strong sequence. In late May and early June, a group of Popsicle lupines fills the middle of the border with mixed-color spikes. As they fade, lavender comes into bloom in front of or beside them, carrying the spiky look into summer. Because this is a mix, a cluster of five or more plants gives the best confetti effect.
At 18 to 24 inches, Popsicle fits the middle of a border without staking. Plant them where lavender can take over the spotlight later, since lupines often decline after bloom in hot summers. The Companion Plant Planner can help you plan the sequence.
Growing lupines well
- Soil: average, well drained and leaning slightly acidic. Avoid heavy clay and wet spots.
- Climate: lupines love cool summer nights. In hot, humid summers, expect them to look tired after flowering.
- Siting: choose a permanent spot. The deep taproot does not like to be moved.
- Deadheading: cut spent spikes to encourage side spikes.
- Pests: lupine aphids are the main pest. Good air circulation also helps against powdery mildew and crown rot.
Planning for replacements
Lupines are hardy in Michigan given sharp drainage, but they are often short-lived. The easy fix is to let a few seed heads ripen each year so new plants replace the old ones. Your color mix will keep shifting, which is part of the charm.
About the plug tray
Popsicle Mix is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, a good way to plant a big, colorful drift or grow on plants for containers. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose the colors?
No. Popsicle Mix is a seed strain, and colors vary from plant to plant. That variety is the point of a mix.
Are lupines safe to eat?
No. The seeds and foliage of ornamental lupines contain toxic alkaloids. Grow them for looks only.
Do they make good cut flowers?
They are fair cut flowers. Cut spikes when the lower florets are open and the tips are still in bud.
Share how it went in your field