About
A biennial producing a basal rosette of highly divided, dark green leaves in the first year, and tall, branching, airy, flowering stems in the second year, bearing individual, lemon-yellow blooms all 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
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in alkaline, poor, well-drained soil in a sunny position. Plants grown in fertile soil may need support, see staking perennials
PruningCut back old stems to the base after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to caterpillars, including mullein moth, and to figwort weevils
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to Powdery mildews