Verbascum 'Letitia'

RHS Plant Profile

mullein 'Letitia'

RHS

Herbaceous Perennial

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A bushy, evergreen sub-shrub to 30cm in height, with hairy grey, oblong leaves and abundant purple-centred, bright yellow flowers 1.8cm in width

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 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): H4
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Scrophulariaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: 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

Grow in alkaline, poor, well-drained soil in full sun; drought-tolerant plant ideal for rock garden or container in an alpine house. To grow in an alpine house, use equal mix of loam-based compost and grit

Propagation

Propagate by root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden

Pruning

Remove faded flower spikes

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars and figwort weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews