Verbascum olympicum

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Olympian mullein

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Olympian mullein RHS
Olympian mullein RHS 1999
Olympian mullein RHS 2002

Synonyms

Verbascum longifolium var. pannosum

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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A short-lived perennial, usually dying back after flowering, with grey-woolly stems and leaves, to around 2m in height. Spikes of yellow flowers appear in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Exposed
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
Deciduous
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
Plant Range
Greece & Turkey

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in alkaline, poor, well-drained soil in full sun; drought-tolerant plant. In fertile soils, it grows large and needs support

Propagation

Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame in late spring to early summer. Propagate by division in early spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • 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