Mullein

Biennial. Mullein is well adapted to cottage, gravel, and rock gardens. In its function as a pioneer plant, it loves to protect and cover disturbed soil. The first year, this biennial will create a short basal rosette of thick, soft, pale-green leaves that are sometimes called “cowboy toilet paper” or “flannel leaf”. The second year it will send up a tall stalk of abundant dense flowers unique to this V. densiflorum variety of mullein. The first-year leaves have been traditionally used dried as an infusion for lung issues, and the second-year flowers for ear aches.

• 8-12 hours of Sun
• Sprouts in 7-21 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 60-70 Degrees F
• Seed Depth: Surface Sow
  
• Plant Spacing: 24"
• Frost Hardy: Yes
  
• Verbascum densiflorum
  

Growing Tips: Prefers full sun, fairly dry soil. Surface-sow seeds in spring, gently pressing into place. Thin to 1-2 ft apart. Remove spent blooms to prevent seed formation, control spreading.

(V. phoeniceum) Perennial zones 4-8. Ruffled rosy colored blooms set along tall spires add romance to the garden and landscape. Incredibly drought-tolerant plants reach 2.5 to 3 feet tall and about 1.5 feet wide. Pollinators will flock to these sweetheart pink blooms. A short-lived perennial that reseeds easily to bring color to the garden year after year.

(V. hybridum) Perennial zones 5-8. Tall spires are adorned with blooms in shades of dusty rose to buff. These charming cottage garden flowers have impressive drought tolerance and thrive in full sun to part shade. Plants reach 2 to 3 feet tall, creating a low clump of foliage about 1.5 feet wide, with sturdy flower spikes that do not require staking. It is a pollinator-friendly, short-lived perennial that reseeds easily to bring color to the garden.

(V. phoeniceum) Perennial zones 4-8. Dazzling violet blooms arranged along long spires will add charm to the garden. Incredibly drought-tolerant plants reach 2.5 to 3 feet tall and about 1.5 feet wide. Pollinators will flock to these grape-colored blooms. A short-lived perennial that reseeds easily to bring color to the garden year after year.

(V. phoeniceum) Perennial zones 4-8. Blousy white blooms sway in the breeze along tall spires. It is a very drought-tolerant flower that works beautifully in landscapes, beds, and even containers. Plants reach 2.5 to 30 feet tall and about 1.5 feet wide. These short-lived perennials will easily reseed, bringing crisp white flowers and lots of pollinator action year after year.