Verbascum phoeniceum 'Flush of White'

RHS Plant Profile
purple mullein 'Flush of White'

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purple mullein 'Flush of White' RHS / Joanna Kossak
purple mullein 'Flush of White' RHS
purple mullein 'Flush of White' RHS / Joanna Kossak

Synonyms

Verbascum phoeniceum 'White Bride'

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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A short-lived herbaceous perennial up to 60cm high, with evergreen rosettes of shiny dark green leaves and spikes of pure white flowers with thin, fluttery petals and bright yellow-orange centres in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 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
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
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Scrophulariaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun in light, non-acidic, well-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by root cuttings in late winter - because it is rather short-lived, propagate new plants regularly

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wall side borders
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required, but deadheading spent flower-spikes may encourage more to form

Pests

May be susceptible to figwort weevil and by mullein moth caterpillars but generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews