- Ideal soil and exposure for cultivated mullein
- Date of sowing, division and planting of cultivated mullein
- Advice for the care and cultivation of cultivated mullein
- Diseases, pests and parasites of cultivated mullein
- Location and favorable association of cultivated mullein
- Recommended varieties of mullein grown for planting in the garden
Cultivated mullein (Verbascum x hybridum) is essentially a hybrid of white broth (Verbascum thapsuswhich is a robust biennial with an upright stalk that grows in uncultivated lands and along roadsides, recognizable by its hairy stem and yellow flowers in compact spikes.
The hybrid mullein are characterized by some similarities: they are hardy (-15° C), they develop a large rosette of semi-evergreen leaves, downy, oval, oblong, green-gray, at the heart of which stands a stem in ear of 30cm to 1m long, formed of flowers in section of 2 to 4cm in diameter, 5 lobes, very varied colors: pink, yellow, orange, salmon... They bloom throughout the summer!
- Family: Scrofulariaceae
- Type: perennial
- Origin: Hybrid
- Color: pink, yellow, orange, salmon, apricot flowers
- Sowing: no
- Cutting: no
- Planting: autumn
- Flowering: June to September
- Height: up to 1.2 m according to hybrids
Ideal soil and exposure for cultivated mullein
The cultivated mullein will be in full sun in an alkaline soil, poor and well drained.
Date of sowing, division and planting of cultivated mullein
Seeding is done in April under cold chassis before being transplanted into buckets then set up in October, ideal planting period, at the rate of 4 feet / m².
The majority of cultured mullein are sterile. To multiply and conserve them, it is necessary to divide them regularly, otherwise they may disappear. Moreover, many have biennial plant functioning. They are perennial but they have a relatively short life span.
Advice for the care and cultivation of cultivated mullein
As cultivated mullein becomes very large, it is almost always necessary to guard it.
Beware of excess winter moisture.
Diseases, pests and parasites of cultivated mullein
Powdery mildew is the enemy of the mullein when there is too much moisture or the soil is insufficiently drained.
Location and favorable association of cultivated mullein
It is a plant that is grown to give a natural look to a wild garden or to garnish a massif or a rock. It also works in isolation and its flower stalks can be cut to make bouquets.
Given its size, it does not install in pots.
Recommended varieties of mullein grown for planting in the garden
Genre Verbascum has more than 350 species in total, but many hybrid cultivars have been developed: Verbascum 'Gainsborough' (1,2m) with soft yellow flowers, Verbascum 'Helen Johnson' (90cm) with pinkish brown flowers with purple threads, Verbascum 'Wega' (1,8m) with bright yellow flowers, Verbascum 'Pink domino' (1,2m) with dark pink flowers with dark threads, Verbascum 'Southern Charm' (70cm) with salmon flowers, Verbascum 'Jackie' (35cm), dwarf form with salmon pink flowers, Verbascum 'White Domino' (1,2m) with pure white flowers...
(photo credit 1 and sticker: Leonora (Ellie) Enking -CC BY-SA 2.0)
FAQ - 💬
❓ Is there a wild version of Verbascum?
👉 Although our wild verbascum, greater mullein, is a common sight in the wild, garden cultivars are readily available, flowering in a range of colours from white to yellow, orange, blue and purple.
❓ How do you plant Verbascum x hybridum Snow Maiden?
👉 Verbascum x hybridum 'Snow Maiden' (Mullein 'Snow Maiden') will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years. Plant in alkaline, poor, well-drained soil in full sun. In more fertile soils, it grows large and needs support. Will not tolerate wet, boggy conditions. UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings.
❓ What is the most popular mullein plant?
👉 Regarded as one of the most popular hybrid Mulleins, Verbascum 'Jackie' (Mullein) is a short-lived, semi-evergreen perennial with graceful spikes smothered with abundant creamy-apricot flowers adorned with an orange eye.
❓ Is Verbascum Clementine easy to grow from seed?
👉 Easily grown from seed, it’s a good plant for borders or containers. Verbascum ‘Clementine’ – a tall, elegant cultivar, the light orange flowers have dark pink centres and appear on branching stems from a central spire that can grow up to 1.5m.