Verbascum 'Summer Sorbet'

RHS Plant Profile

mullein 'Summer Sorbet'

RHS

Herbaceous Perennial

An upright perennial to 1.2m tall, with a large, flat, tight rosette of glossy green leaves. Upright spikes of magenta-purple flowers with a hint of peach and a dark, raspberry-red centre, appear from June through to August, sometimes into September

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Alkaline

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing
Exposure: Exposed
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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Scrophulariaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Verbascum can be annuals, biennials, perennials or subshrubs mostly with hairy leaves and 5-petalled, saucer-shaped flowers
Name Status: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in alkaline, poor, well-drained soil in full sun; drought-tolerant plant. In fertile soils, it grows large and needs support

Propagation

Propagate by root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove faded flower spikes

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars and figwort weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews