About
A biennial or short-lived perennial producing upright stems to 75cm, growing from a rosette of basal leaves. Petals of the flat flowers are blue, the centre of the flower and the protruding stamens are purplish with flecks of white. Flowers are borne in loose spikes, opening in flushes throughout 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
Soil pHAlkaline
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCoastal, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationRequires an alkaline, well-drained, poor soil in full sun. In fertile soil plants grow larger and need staking - see staking perennials
PruningCut back old flower stems once flowering has finished
PropagationPropagate by root cuttings in winter, or division in spring
Pest resistanceFigwort weevil and some moth caterpillars may be a problem
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews