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Annual Biennial

Verbascum roripifolium
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A biennial producing a basal rosette of highly divided, dark green leaves in the first year, and tall, branching, airy, flowering stems in the second year, bearing individual, lemon-yellow blooms all summer

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Yellow Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H6
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

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in alkaline, poor, well-drained soil in a sunny position. Plants grown in fertile soil may need support, see staking perennials

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • 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 caterpillars, including mullein moth, and to figwort weevils

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews

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