Family: Scrophulariaceae
Common Name: Mullein

There are well over 300 species in this genus of annuals, biennials, perennials and subshrubs, from temperate areas of Europe, North Africa and Asia. The leaves are mainly simple and the flowers, borne in sprays or spikes, may be yellow, pink, purple, brownish or white. Several species are grown for their lovely, grayish green foliage and columnar shape. The many attrac­tive cultivars generally provide better garden plants than the species. Use them as accent plants, or to provide height in borders.

Species

V. bombyciferum, zone 6, biennial, from the Middle East, grows to 2 m (6 ft), with golden yellow flowers. The stems and leaves are covered in silver hair.

V. dumulosum, zone 8, a spreading perennial from the Middle East, grows to 30 cm (12 in), with hairy, gray, felted foliage and pale yellow flowers.

V. olympicum, zone 6, from Greece, is a biennial, growing to 1.5 m (5 ft). The large leaves, densely covered with white hairs, form rosettes, from which come spikes of bright yellow flowers in summer.

V. phoeniceum, zone 6, a biennial or perennial, grows to 1.5 m (5 ft), with reddish purple flowers. There are cultivars in white, pink, lilac and purple.

V. thapsus, zone 3, a biennial, flannel plant, grows to 1-2 m (3-6 ft) and has a very woolly appearance and yellow flowers. This species can be invasive.

Cultivation

Verbascum will grow in any rea­sonable garden soil, provided it is well drained, but prefers a sunny situation. Propagate species from seed sown in spring; hybrids are increased by division or from root cuttings, in autumn.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones.