Description
A truly perennial species of mullein with super showy, tall spikes covered with stunning white flowers with contrasting purple stamens that have orange anthers!! These verbascums are incredible pollinator magnets!
They have a long bloom period & will rebloom profusely on long flower stalks in mid- and late summer, reaching about 100cm high. (deadheading helps). The flowers are great for cutting for flower arrangements. The plants are deer resistant & able to tolerate drought once they are established. Here they thrive in the gravel with no additional water. They are cold hardy to Zone 5, but will reseed themselves for new plants the following spring in cooler climates as well.
The dark green rosettes are semi-evergreen & individual flowers are short-lived but numerous. This European native can be found on dry, stony hillsides and open woodlands, but plants are well-adapted to cottage, gravel & rock gardens. Masses of white flowers with attractive violet filaments are held on candelabra like branches.
Loves a dry very well drained sandy or rocky soil in the sun. For best results, sow as soon as possible, even in winter if you do winter sowing. I find it best not to cover this tiny seed, just press lightly into the soil so there is good contact. They can be sown at any time, and germination can sometimes be quicker if kept at 15 to 20 degrees C. I sow most seeds in the unheated greenhouse and wait for natural germination, as many seeds have built-in dormancy mechanisms, often waiting for natural spring germination.Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Germination 7-21 days.
Following germination, reduce the moisture levels somewhat, allowing the growing medium to dry out slightly before watering to help promote rooting. (this plant likes it dry-ish) They are usually ready for transplanting in 5-7 weeks when the roots reach the bottom of the pot. Harden off and plant out when all risk of frost has passed 60cm (24in) apart in full sun. Leave the rosette to develop for the first year.Seed is extremely tiny – lots in a pkg to get you going! (approx .16g)
Following germination, reduce the moisture levels somewhat, allowing the growing medium to dry out slightly before watering to help promote rooting. (this plant likes it dry-ish) They are usually ready for transplanting in 5-7 weeks when the roots reach the bottom of the pot. Harden off and plant out when all risk of frost has passed 60cm (24in) apart in full sun. Leave the rosette to develop for the first year.Seed is extremely tiny – lots in a pkg to get you going! (approx .16g)
*because these grow on the same property as the beautiful yellow “Sixteen Candles” verbascum, it is possible some may be yellow as these plants are crazy pollinator plants!
Cathy Groulx (verified owner) –
Absolutely love these plants. Need to leave lots of growing room as the leaves are huge! Beautiful flowers that really last a long time and the bees love them.
Had a beautiful selection of white and yellow flowers. A must grow variety!
Very happy with everything I bought here.
Kat –
Happy to hear you love them too! Pollinators go crazy for these. thank you!
Debby (verified owner) –
I’m happy to see my verbascum coming up again this spring. They were lovely last summer, and the bees were madly in love. I still have some seed so I hope to spread them around. A wonderful cottage garden flower.
Mathew –
These seeds germinated quickly and at a high rate. Very happy with them.
Kat –
Happy to hear of your great success! thanks!