Annuals & Biennials

Verbascum
mullein

- Height 3-4 ft (90-180 cm)
- Planting distance 1-2 ft (30-60 cm)
- Flowers late spring to early fall
- Ordinary well-drained soil
- Sunny site
- Hardy biennial or annual

Mulleins are stately plants, excellent for growing at the back of a border, in groups in island beds, or in a wild garden. The spikes of yellow flowers are carried 3-6 ft (90-180 cm) high above rosettes of white-felted leaves and appear between late spring and early fall.

Popular species and cultivars
Verbascum bombyciferum has silvery branching stems covered with sulfur-yellow flowers from early summer to midsummer. It reaches 4-6 ft (120-180 cm) high, so space the plants 11/2-2 ft (45-60 cm) apart. 'Silver Lining' has pale yellow flowers. Verbascum phlomoides has spikes of clustered creamy white flowers between late spring and early fall and oblong gray woolly leaves. This 6-ft (180-cm) high species is most suitable for wild gardens, where it self-seeds easily if left alone. Plant 11/2 ft (45 cm) apart. Verbascum phoeniceum has spikes of flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple from late spring to early fall. Its dark green leaves are arranged in a rosette around the base of the plant. Reaching 31/2-41/2 ft (105-135 cm) high, this species is usually grown as an annual and planted 15-18 in (38-45 cm) apart. 'Benary's hybrids' grow only 3 ft (90 cm) high and bear pale pink, salmon, and purple flowers. Verbascum thapsus has spike of yellow flowers from early to late summer and toothed leaves covered with white woolly hairs. It reaches 3 ft (90 cm) high and should be planted 1 ft (30 cm) apart, ideally in a wild garden.

Annuals
and
Biennials