About
An evergreen perennial with rosettes of dark green, purple-flushed and conspicuously veined leaves. The rich purple flowers are carried on thin stems in fine-textured, airy spires.
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
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in alkaline, poor, well-drained soil in a sunny position
PruningRemove faded flower spikes
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or take root cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to caterpillars and figwort weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews