Verbascum 'Merlin'PBR
mullein 'Merlin'
A rosette-forming, sometimes short-lived, perennial to 90cm with hairy, grey-green leaves. Throughout the summer produces spikes of saucer-shaped, brown-rimmed, dusky pink to pale purple flowers with brown centres
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
AlkalineColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Pink | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Scrophulariaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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 poor, alkaline, well-drained soil in full sun. A drought-tolerant plant, which can grow large and need support in fertile soils
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring or by root cuttings in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- 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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