Verbascum nigrum

RHS Plant Profile
dark mullein

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dark mullein RHS
dark mullein RHS

Other common names

black-rooted mullein, tall mullein

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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A rosette-forming, deciduous or semi-evergreen perennial to about 90cm tall, with scalloped, long-stalked, mid to dark green leaves, slightly grey-woolly beneath. Upright stems of warm yellow flowers, with purple stamens at their centres, appear from midsummer to early autumn. A main food source for Mullein moths and nectar source for other pollinators

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Scrophulariaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous, Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Verbascum can be annuals, biennials, perennials or subshrubs mostly with hairy leaves and 5-petalled, saucer-shaped flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Usually found on calcareous, free-draining sites or disturbed ground in a sunny location. Mulleins are beneficial to wildlife as a pollen and nectar source when in flower, seeds are a food source for birds and in winter hollow stems act as a refuge for insects

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mullein moth

Diseases

Generally disease-free