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Verbascum lychnitis (White mullein )
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.9m
Max height
Max height
0.4m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Verbascum lychnitis
Other names
White mullein
Genus
Verbascum Verbascum
Species
V. lychnitis - V. lychnitis is a rosette-forming, biennial or short-lived perennial with long, narrowly ovate, silvery grey-green leaves and a sturdy, erect stem bearing a panicle of loose racemes of saucer-shaped, white or yellow flowers in summer.
Verbascum lychnitis is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Erect flower stem, Compact, Rosette
Flower
White, Yellow in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Caterpillars , Figwort weevils Caterpillars , Figwort weevils
Powdery mildew Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Remove faded flower spikes.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame from late spring to early summer. Tends to self-seed readily. Hybridizes with other Verbascum species though offspring are usually sterile.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Verbascum lychnitis (White mullein ) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.4m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, Gravel, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in poor, light, alkaline, well-drained soil in sun. Thrives in chalk. Does not tolerate shade or wet soil. Apply a thick, dry mulch around the crown in autumn. Stake in spring. Remove faded flowers spikes.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South
Exposure
Exposed
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Verbascum lychnitis
Other names
White mullein
Genus
Verbascum Verbascum
Species
V. lychnitis - V. lychnitis is a rosette-forming, biennial or short-lived perennial with long, narrowly ovate, silvery grey-green leaves and a sturdy, erect stem bearing a panicle of loose racemes of saucer-shaped, white or yellow flowers in summer.
Native to
Europe
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Erect flower stem, Compact, Rosette
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Colour
Flower
White, Yellow in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Caterpillars , Figwort weevils
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Remove faded flower spikes.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame from late spring to early summer. Tends to self-seed readily. Hybridizes with other Verbascum species though offspring are usually sterile.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Verbascum lychnitis (White mullein ) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.4m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, Gravel, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in poor, light, alkaline, well-drained soil in sun. Thrives in chalk. Does not tolerate shade or wet soil. Apply a thick, dry mulch around the crown in autumn. Stake in spring. Remove faded flowers spikes.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South
Exposure
Exposed
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By garden designers Anna Benn and Hannah Gardner. A Russian-themed garden based on the country estate near Moscow where Anton Chekhov, one of Russia’s greatest writers, wrote his famous play … read more
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