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Annual Biennial

Verbascum phlomoides
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

orange mullein

A biennial with pointed, grey-green, hairy leaves producing an evergreen basal rosette up to 60cm across. A leafy flower spike, to 1.8m tall, produces large, closely-packed yellow blooms from early to late summer

Other common names
woolly mullein
Synonyms
Verbascum australe
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
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

Exposure
Exposed
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H6
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

Plant range
Europe to C Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor, alkaline, well-drained soil in full sun. A drought-tolerant plant, it grows large and needs support in fertile soils (see staking perennials)

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring or early summer, or by root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Remove faded flower spikes

Pests

May be susceptible to mullein moth caterpillars and figwort weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

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