About
This compact rosette-forming semi-evergreen perennial with toothed, hairy green leaves. Strong stems produce saucer-shaped lavender flowers with deep pink centres during the 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
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun in light, non-acidic, well-drained soil: will tolerate shallow chalky soils, dry soils, and poor soils, but will need staking in richer soils, and will not tolerate wet soils
PruningDeadhead the flowering stem
PropagationPropagate by root cuttings in late winter; because it is rather short-lived, propagate new plants regularly
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free but may be susceptible to figwort weevil and mullein moth
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews