Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous PerennialSynonym

Verbascum phoeniceum 'White Bride'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

purple mullein 'Flush of White'

A short-lived herbaceous perennial up to 60cm high, with evergreen rosettes of shiny dark green leaves and spikes of pure white flowers with thin, fluttery petals and bright yellow-orange centres in summer

Synonyms
Verbascum phoeniceum 'White Bride'
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green Orange White Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Scrophulariaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun in light, non-acidic, well-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by root cuttings in late winter - because it is rather short-lived, propagate new plants regularly

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

No pruning required, but deadheading spent flower-spikes may encourage more to form

Pests

May be susceptible to figwort weevil and by mullein moth caterpillars but generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

Get involved

The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.