Verbascum densiflorum

RHS Plant Profile
dense-flowered mullein

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dense-flowered mullein RHS
dense-flowered mullein RHS

Synonyms

Verbascum thapsiforme

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial

a rosette-forming, biennial or short-lived, semi-evergreen perennial with a dense covering of grey-yellow hairs. The wavy-margined basal leaves reach 45cm long, and the erect, branching, flower spikes packed with yellow, or sometimes white, flowers up to 5cm across, reach 1.8m

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 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)
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
Semi 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, Siberia

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

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

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • 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