A genus of mostly biennials. They are deer resistant. Most Mullein prefer full sun on sandy, very well drained soil. Winter wetness can be fatal. Mulleins thrive along the seashore as well as in gravelly places such as along railway tracks. They are very tolerant of drought and alkaline soils.
* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC
* photo taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014
* photos taken on June 2 2016 in Columbia, MD
Verbascum blattaria ( Moth Mullein )
A perennial, reaching up to 6 x 1.5 feet, that is native to temperate Eurasia. It is locally naturalized in North America to as far north as Lion's Head, Ontario and Quebec City, Quebec. It is found on roadsides and upland pastures in the wild.
The crinkled, glossy deep green leaves form a basal rosette.
The white to pale yellow flowers are borne during summer.
Hardy zones 6 to 8 in full sun on dryish, well drained soil. Propagation is from seed.
* photo taken on July 2 2019 @ Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, Laurel, MD
'Albiflorum'
The flowers are pure white with a purple center.
Verbascum bombyciferum
A short-lived perennial, reaching up to 4 x 3 ( rarely 6 ) feet, that is native to Turkey and Asia Minor.
The huge, felted, ovate leaves, up to 18 inches in length, are silvery-white as are the stems. The basal leaves are evergreen.
The bright yellow flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne during mid-summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun on dry, sandy, well drained soil. Propagation is from seed, division during spring or root cuttings during winter.
'Arctic Summer'
A spectacular vigorous form, with golden-yellow flower plumes reaching up to 8 feet in height.
Verbascum chiaxii ( Nettle-Leaved Mullein )
A thick, clump-forming perenial, reaching up to 5 x 2 ( rarely over 3 ) feet in size, that is native to Europe.
The ovate leaves are hairy, glossy deep green.
The bright yellow flowers are borne during mid-summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun on alkaline, very well drained soil. Very easy to grow.
'Alba'
White flowers, otherwise identical.
Verbascum dumulosum
A low growing, bushy, biennial or perennial, reaching up to 1 foot in height, that is native to Turkey.
The fuzzy ovate leaves are gray.
The yellow ( centered red ) flowers are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( 6 against south facing wall ) in full sun on sandy, well drained soil.
Verbascum 'Helen Johnson'
An evergreen perennial reaching up to 4 x 2.5 ( rarely over 2 ) feet.
The ovate leaves are downy grayish-green.
The pinkish flowers are borne on upright spikes all summer long.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.
Verbascum 'Jackie'
An evergreen perennial reaching up to 3 x 2.5 ( rarely over 2 ) feet.
The ovate leaves are downy grayish-green.
The pale pink ( with purple eye ) flowers are borne on upright spikes all summer long.
Hardy zones 5 to 9.
Verbascum nigrum ( Dark Mullein )
A perennial, reaching up to 3 x 2 feet.
The ovate leaves are deep green.
The yellow flowers are borne mid-summer into early autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun on alkaline, very well drained soil.
Verbascum olympicum ( Olympic Mullein )
A short-lived perennial, reaching up to 10 x 3 ( rarely over 6 ) feet, that is native from Greece to Turkey.
The pointed, narrow leaves are grayish-white and woolly. The stems are also woolly and grayish-white.
The bright yellow flowers are borne summer into autumn.
Hardy zones 6 to 8 in full sun. Propagation is from seed.
* historic archive photo
Verbascum phoeniceum ( Purple Mullein )
A perennial, reaching up to 6.5 x 2 feet.
The pointed leaves are mid-green.
The flowers are usually in shade of pink or purple but may also be white. The blooms appear during early summer lasting about 2 weeks.
Hardy zones 3b to 8
Gainsborough'
Bright yellow flowers.
;'Mont Blanc'
Silvery foliage and pure white flowers.
'Pink Domino'
Rose-pink flowers.
Verbascum 'Southern Charm'
A perennial, reaching up to 2.5 x 2 feet with a compact habit.
The foliage is mid-green.
The flowers can be either creamy-white, peach or rosy-pink. It often reblooms after deadheading. Hardy zones 5 to 8. If sown during very early spring, it may bloom during the first summer.
Verbascum thapsus ( Flannel Mullein )
A short-lived perennial, reaching up to 6.5 x 1.5 feet, that is native to temperate Eurasia. It is naturalized as far north in North America as Juneau, Alaska to Edmonton, Alberta to Kapuskasing, Ontario to Gaspe region of Quebec to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. It is found on sandy wastelands, roadsides and open woods.
The basal leaves, up to 18 ( rarely over 12 ) inches in length, are felted, grayish-white.
The yellow flowers, up to 1 inch wide, are borne mid-summer into early autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 7. Propagation is from division or seed.
* photos taken on May 3 2015 in Ellicott City, MD
* photo taken on Jul 27 2015 in Bayfield, ON
* photo taken on Oct 19 2015 in Howard Co., MD
* photos taken on July 16 2016 in Bayfield, ON
* photo taken on July 2 2019 @ Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, Laurel, MD
* photo taken on June 1 2023 in Ellicott City, MD
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