A rosette-forming semi-evergreen which can be grown as a biennial or short-lived perennial with wrinkled, dark green leaves. Purple-red buds open to white flowers flushed with purple and red in late spring to early summer
0.5-1 metres
0.5-1 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Grow in full sun in light, non-acidic, well-drained soil: will tolerate shallow chalky soils, dry soils, and poor soils, but will need staking in richer soils, and will not tolerate wet soils. See verbascum for further advice
Propagate by root cuttings in late winter; because it is rather short-lived, propagate new plants regularly
deadhead the flowering stem
May be susceptible to figwort weevil and by mullein moth but generally pest-free
May be susceptible to Powdery mildews