About
An evergreen biennial, or short-lived perennial, producing a basal rosette up to 60cm across, and a sparsely branched, vertical flowering spike up to 2m, all covered in silvery-white hairs. Saucer-shaped, lemon-yellow flowers appear in summer.
About the genus
Verbascum can be annuals, biennials, perennials or subshrubs mostly with hairy leaves and 5-petalled, saucer-shaped flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Annual Biennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in alkaline, poor, well-drained soil in a sunny position. Plants grown in fertile soil may need support, see staking perennials
PruningRemove faded flower spikes
PropagationPropagate by seed, or by division in spring or take root cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to caterpillars, including mullein moth, and to figwort weevils
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to Powdery mildews