About
A short-lived herbaceous perennial up to 60cm high, with evergreen rosettes of shiny dark green leaves and spikes of pure white flowers with thin, fluttery petals and bright yellow-orange centres in 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
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun in light, non-acidic, well-drained soil
PruningNo pruning required, but deadheading spent flower-spikes may encourage more to form
PropagationPropagate by root cuttings in late winter - because it is rather short-lived, propagate new plants regularly
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to figwort weevil and by mullein moth caterpillars but generally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews