Verbascum (Cotswold Group) 'Cotswold Queen'

RHS Plant Profile

mullein 'Cotswold Queen'

RHS

Synonyms

Verbascum phoeniceum 'Cotswold Queen'

Herbaceous Perennial Annual Biennial

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A biennial or short-lived perennial producing a semi-evergreen rosette of pale, grey-green leaves. The narrow, unbranched flower spikes reach 1.2m and carry butter-yellow flowers with purple eyes

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam

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

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
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: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in alkaline, poor, well-drained soil in full sun. Mulch around the base overwinter, without covering the crown

Propagation

Propagate by root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove faded flower spikes

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars and figwort weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews