About
Verbascum nigrum subsp. nigrum is a biennial or short-lived perennial in the genus Verbascum, notable for its upright spikes of yellow flowers with purple stamens. It forms clumps of leaves from which multiple flowering stems arise, reaching about 0.5–1.5 m tall. Plants are native to dry, open sites in temperate Europe and are grown ornamentally for their long summer display. Flowering occurs from June to September.
About the genus
Verbascum is a genus of over 450 species of flowering plants, common name mullein, in the figwort family Scrophulariaceae. They are native to Europe and Asia, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean.
Wikipedia contributors, "Verbascum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Verbascum
In the garden
Verbascum nigrum subsp. nigrum belongs to the Scrophulariaceae and originates from dry, open places across temperate Europe. It establishes as a clump of basal leaves that send up several tall stems bearing yellow flowers with purple stamens. The species may behave as a biennial or a short-lived perennial in cultivation. Position it in full sun on neutral to calcareous, well-drained soil; the plant's natural habitat is dry, open ground so it tolerates leaner, drier conditions better than heavy, waterlogged soils. Expect stems to reach approximately 0.5–1.5 m at flowering, so allow room for vertical presence at the back of a border or in a gravel bed. Garden uses include gravel or Mediterranean-style beds, sunny perennial borders and calcareous soils where structural, long-flowering spikes are wanted. It is cultivated as an ornamental and provides a season of colour from June to September; the contrast of yellow corollas and purple stamens is particularly effective against grey foliage or pale gravel.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
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More in the Verbascum genus
- Verbascum bombyciferumBroussa mullein
- Verbascum olympicumOlympian mullein
- Verbascum olympicum 'Album'Greek Mullein
- Verbascum phoeniceumpurple mullein
- Verbascum phoeniceum 'Gainsborough'Mullein
- Verbascum phoeniceum 'Lilac Domino'Mullein
- Verbascum phoeniceum 'Pink Domino'Mullein
- Verbascum phoeniceum 'Rose Bouquet'Mullein