Mullein

BY: NHGC

Mulleins, like the related foxglove, bear spikes of colorful flowers in shades of white, pink, purple, yellow, and orange during the summer months. A number of mulleins grow from rosettes and have attractive felted, gray foliage.

Plant facts

Common name: Mullein
Botanical name: Verbascum spp.
Zones: 3 to 10, depending on species
Size: To 10 feet tall, depending on species
From: Areas of Europe and Asia
Family: Scrophulariaceae (foxglove family)

Growingconditions

Sun: Full sun or partial shade
Soil: Well-drained alkaline soil is important. Most mulleins adapt well to poor, rocky soils.
Moisture: Many types are drought tolerant, but some require moisture during times of drought.

Care

Mulch: A 1- to 2-inch layer of mulch around the plants will help prevent weeds.
Pruning: Cut down dead stalks in autumn after they freeze or in early spring before the plants begin to grow.
Fertilizer: Extra fertilizer isn't usually necessary.
Staking: Taller types may need staking when in bloom. To avoid harming the root system, sink a tall stick into the ground a short distance from the plant. Use a figure-eight pattern to tie the plant, with the stem in one loop and the stake in the other. This helps prevent excessive rubbing, which can leave a wound and allow diseases to enter the plant.

Propagation

Seed: Sow seed in spring. Seeds germinate best at about 60°F. Note: Seeds from hybrids rarely grow into plants that look like their parents. Purchase new hybrid seeds instead of collecting them.

Problems

Powdery mildew: This disease appears in mid- to late summer. Affected leaves develop a gray powdery covering and fall off the plant. To deter the disease, prune the plant to maintain good airflow, and avoid wetting foliage in afternoons and evenings.
Rot: Plant only in well-drained soil; in soil that doesn't drain well, the plants will rot and die.

Gardennotes

In many gardens, mulleins self-seed readily. In some parts of the country, certain species are considered weeds. Check for local restrictions before planting.
Most mulleins are short lived, so they're best treated as biennials. To have blooming plants each year, plant seed every year. Plants usually flower the second year from seed.

Selections

Verbascum bombyciferum: Short-lived perennial with a rosette of felted leaves and summertime spikes of deep yellow flowers. To 8 feet tall. Zones 4 to 8.
Verbascum chaixii: Short-lived perennial with a rosette of felted leaves and summertime spikes of light yellow flowers. To 3 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9.
Verbascum chaixii ‘Album': Similar to the species, except it bears spikes of white flowers. To 3 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9.
Verbascum ‘Helen Johnson': Short-lived perennial with a rosette of felted leaves and summertime spikes of light peach flowers. To 2 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9.
Verbascum ‘Jackie': Short-lived perennial with velvety green leaves and early spikes of peachy pink flowers. To 2 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9.
Verbascum olympicum: Short-lived perennial with a rosette of very hairy, felted leaves and summertime spikes of yellow flowers. To 6 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9.
Verbascum ‘Pink Domino': Short-lived perennial with a rosette of felted dark green leaves and early summer spikes of rosy pink flowers. To 4 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9.
Verbascum thapsus: Biennial with a rosette of off-white, felted leaves and summertime spikes of yellow flowers. To 6 feet tall. Zones 3 to 9.

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Mullein

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Current Articles \| Archives \| Search Mullein BY: NHGC 0 Mulleins, like the related foxglove, bear spikes of colorful flowers in shades of white, pink, purple, yellow, and orange during the summer months. A number of mulleins grow from rosettes and have attractive felted, gray foliage. Plant facts Common name: Mullein Botanical name: Verbascum spp. Zones: 3 to 10, depending on species Size: To 10 feet tall, depending on species From: Areas of Europe and Asia Family: Scrophulariaceae (foxglove family) Growingconditions Sun: Full sun or partial shade Soil: Well-drained alkaline soil is important. Most mulleins adapt well to poor, rocky soils. Moisture: Many types are drought tolerant, but some require moisture during times of drought. Care Mulch: A 1- to 2-inch layer of mulch around the plants will help prevent weeds. Pruning: Cut down dead stalks in autumn after they freeze or in early spring before the plants begin to grow. Fertilizer: Extra fertilizer isn't usually necessary. Staking: Taller types may need staking when in bloom. To avoid harming the root system, sink a tall stick into the ground a short distance from the plant. Use a figure-eight pattern to tie the plant, with the stem in one loop and the stake in the other. This helps prevent excessive rubbing, which can leave a wound and allow diseases to enter the plant. Propagation Seed: Sow seed in spring. Seeds germinate best at about 60°F. Note: Seeds from hybrids rarely grow into plants that look like their parents. Purchase new hybrid seeds instead of collecting them. Problems Powdery mildew: This disease appears in mid- to late summer. Affected leaves develop a gray powdery covering and fall off the plant. To deter the disease, prune the plant to maintain good airflow, and avoid wetting foliage in afternoons and evenings. Rot: Plant only in well-drained soil; in soil that doesn't drain well, the plants will rot and die. Gardennotes In many gardens, mulleins self-seed readily. In some parts of the country, certain species are considered weeds. Check for local restrictions before planting. Most mulleins are short lived, so they're best treated as biennials. To have blooming plants each year, plant seed every year. Plants usually flower the second year from seed. Selections Verbascum bombyciferum: Short-lived perennial with a rosette of felted leaves and summertime spikes of deep yellow flowers. To 8 feet tall. Zones 4 to 8. Verbascum chaixii: Short-lived perennial with a rosette of felted leaves and summertime spikes of light yellow flowers. To 3 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9. Verbascum chaixii ‘Album': Similar to the species, except it bears spikes of white flowers. To 3 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9. Verbascum ‘Helen Johnson': Short-lived perennial with a rosette of felted leaves and summertime spikes of light peach flowers. To 2 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9. Verbascum ‘Jackie': Short-lived perennial with velvety green leaves and early spikes of peachy pink flowers. To 2 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9. Verbascum olympicum: Short-lived perennial with a rosette of very hairy, felted leaves and summertime spikes of yellow flowers. To 6 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9. Verbascum ‘Pink Domino': Short-lived perennial with a rosette of felted dark green leaves and early summer spikes of rosy pink flowers. To 4 feet tall. Zones 5 to 9. Verbascum thapsus: Biennial with a rosette of off-white, felted leaves and summertime spikes of yellow flowers. To 6 feet tall. Zones 3 to 9. Comments There are currently no comments, be the first to post one. Post Comment Only registered users may post comments.