About
A tall biennial with a rosette of long, silver-grey hairy leaves at the base, alternating part-way up the stem and decreasing in length. Produces large, branched panicles to 2m in height, with yellow flowers 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
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrows best in poor alkaline soils in full sun. Short lived but will self-seed freely.
PruningRemove flower spikes when faded, particularly to prevent self-seeding
PropagationPropagate by seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to moth caterpillars and figwort weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews