About
A rosette-forming, deciduous or semi-evergreen perennial about 90cm tall, with scalloped, long-stalked, mid to dark green leaves, slightly grey-woolly beneath, making basal clumps that produce slender racemes of pure white flowers with purple stamens at their centres, from midsummer to early autumn.
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, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous, Semi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
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
PruningFaded flower stems can be cut back in late autumn or in spring before new growth starts emerging
PropagationPropagate by seed or by root cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mullein moth
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free