Verbascum
Ver-BAS-kum. Figwort family, Scrophulariaceae.
Commonly known as mulleins, most Verbascum species are grown for their spirelike clusters of blooms. The erect bloom stalks of most species are densely covered with flowers that have a short, tubular base and five spreading lobes or petals. About 360 species belong to this genus, and most are biennials, although the genus also contains some annuals, perennials and subshrubs. Most species have hairy to wooly leaves borne in a large rosette at the base of the plant. Mulleins are native from Europe to northern Africa and Asia and also are widely naturalized in North America.
How to Grow
Select a site in full sun with poor to average, well-drained soil. Neutral to slightly alkaline pH is ideal. Established plants tolerate dry soil. The species listed here are grown as annuals or biennials. Sow seeds indoors in individual pots six to eight weeks before plants are scheduled to go into the garden, which means midsummer sowing for plants that are to be moved to the garden in early fall; winter sowing to produce seedlings for spring planting.
Germination takes two to four weeks at 55 to 60F. Transplant with care, as plants have a taproot. Outdoors, sow seeds in spring or summer up to two months before the first fall frost. Plants self-sow. Use mulleins in mixed plantings, cottage gardens and naturalized or informal areas.
V. blattaria
v. blat-TAIR-ee-ah. Moth Mullein.
A 3- to 7-foot-tall species, hardy to Zone 6, with hairless, oblong to lance-shaped leaves and loose racemes of 1-inch-wide, yellow or white flowers in summer. Biennial or warm-weather annual.
V. bombyciferum
v. bom-bih-SIFF-er-um. Turkish Mullein.
A 5- to 8-foot-tall species, hardy from Zone 4 south, with wooly white leaves. Bears erect spikes of 1 ½-inch-wide, saucer-shaped, yellow flowers in summer. ‘Arctic Summer’ (pictured above right) is a 5-foot selection with felted leaves and yellow flowers. Biennial or short-lived perennial.
For the Plant Of The Month index click here.
The above copyrighted information is adapted with permission from the "Taylor’s Guide to Annuals: How to select and grow more than 400 annuals, biennials, and tender perennials," (Houghton Mifflin, 1999, softcover) written by Barbara W. Ellis and published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. The Exclusive Online Only Author's Note comes directly from Ellis and is not included in the book.
Ellis is also the author of "Taylor's Guide to Growing North America's Favorite Plants: A detailed, how-to-grow guide to selecting, planting, and caring for the best classic plants." (Houghton Mifflin, 1998, softcover). Country Living magazine called this comprehensive reference "The 'must-have' gardening book of the year."
For more information about these books, please visit your local bookseller.
Images provided by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Latest from Lawn & Landscape
- Hilltip adds extended auger models
- What 1,000 techs taught us
- Giving Tuesday: Project EverGreen extends Bourbon Raffle deadline
- Atlantic-Oase names Ward as CEO of Oase North America
- JohnDow Industries promotes Tim Beltitus to new role
- WAC Landscape Lighting hosts webinar on fixture adjustability
- Unity Partners forms platform under Yardmaster brand
- Fort Lauderdale landscaper hospitalized after electrocution
