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Annual Biennial

Verbascum speciosum
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Hungarian mullein

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

Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer Yellow Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green Grey Silver
Winter Green Grey Silver
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Scrophulariaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Verbascum can be annuals, biennials, perennials or subshrubs mostly with hairy leaves and 5-petalled, saucer-shaped flowers

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows best in poor alkaline soils in full sun. Short lived but will self-seed freely.

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
Pruning

Remove flower spikes when faded, particularly to prevent self-seeding

Pests

May be susceptible to moth caterpillars and figwort weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

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