Verbascum
Common name: Mullein
Overview:
Verbascum is a tall flowering perennial suited for the back of the herbaceous border, or as a structural feature in an island bed.
It grows to around 900-1200mm (3-4ft) high and flowers from July onwards.
The individual flowers are saucer shaped and can be 30-35mm (1¼") across, the leaves are usually quite large and are often felt like with white hairs.
Cultivation:
Week 13:
If not done in November and if conditions allow, take 75mm (3”) root cuttings and insert them into a 50-50 (by volume) mixture of compost and sharp sand and grow on in a coldframe.
When the plants show three to four leaves pot them up into 75mm (3") pots of potting compost and grow them on in a coldframe until planting out time.
Week 15:
Sow seed and germinate at a temperature of 18°C (64°F)
Germination should take 7-10 days.
When seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into 75mm (3")
Grow on at a temperature of 12°-16°C (54°-61°F) for a couple of weeks then place them in a cold frame until planting out time.
Week 35:
Plant out now or in March –April 300-400m (12-15") apart in an open, sunny site that has good drainage and moderate fertility.
Remove / deadhead dying spikes regularly and the plants should flower continually during the summer.
Circa Week 45:
Cut plants down to ground level.
Week 46:
If conditions allow, take 75mm (3”) root cuttings and insert them into a 50-50 (by volume) mixture of compost and sharp sand and grow on in a coldframe.
When the plants show three to four leaves pot them up into 75mm (3") pots of potting compost and grow them on in a coldframe until planting out time.