About
A rhizomatous, deciduous perennial from Yunnan, China, to about 1.2m tall, with pleated, broadly elliptic, mid-green leaves and branched panicles of small, star-shaped, greenish-white flowers in midsummer. A rare and little-cultivated species for a moist, shaded woodland garden.
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, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous, Semi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow, Cottage and informal garden
Native toEurope, Asia
Care notes
CultivationUsually found on calcareous, free-draining sites or disturbed ground in a sunny location. Mulleins are beneficial to wildlife as a pollen and nectar source when in flower, seeds are a food source for birds and in winter hollow stems act as a refuge for insects
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or by root cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mullein moth
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free