About
A short-lived, rosette-forming, to 50cm with mid-green, textured leaves. Produces many upright spikes of dusky purple flowers throughout the 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
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Gravel garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in poor, alkaline, well-drained soil in full sun. A drought-tolerant plant, which can grow large and need support in fertile soils
PruningRemove faded flower spikes
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or by root cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mullein moth caterpillars and figwort weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews