Verbascum (Cotswold Group) 'Cotswold Beauty'

RHS Plant Profile

mullein 'Cotswold Beauty'

RHS

Herbaceous Perennial

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A short-lived semi-evergreen perennial to 1.2m tall, with a basal rosette of broadly ovate, dark green leaves and erect spikes of light buff flowers 3-4cm across, with purple stamens

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Alkaline

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
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

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Scrophulariaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Bushy
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

Prefers a poor, well-drained alkaline soil in full sun. If grown in a more fertile soil the plants become larger and will need support

Propagation

Divide mature plants in the spring or take root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Cut back old stems to the base after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to Figwort Weevil and some moth caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews