About
An upright, rosette-forming, sometimes short-lived perennial to 2m with dark, hairy, slightly greyish leaves. In mid to late summer produces tall, erect, branched spikes of white flowers with purple eyes.
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
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in poor, alkaline, well-drained soil in full sun. A drought-tolerant plant, which can grow large and need support in fertile soils
PruningRemove faded flower spikes
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or by root cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mullein moth caterpillars and figwort weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews