Mullein

Mullein  (Verbascum)

Mullein (Verbascum) is a genus of plants that deliver a beautiful vertical accent to the garden. Some Mullein are perennial, others behave as bi- or even tri-annual. Very broadly speaking, you can say that the tallest varieties will die after flowering and that the lower varieties will survive for a few years. The short-lived varieties self-seed easily, so you will not be without. There are many new cultivars of Mullein being brought to the market which still have to prove themselves. Mullein of the varieties nigrum and chaixii are usually perennial. Mullein likes a spot in the sun in dry to normal soil which drains well. If you do not want them to self-seed, cut away the flower stems after flowering. This might also lengthen the lifespan of short-lived varieties. Mullein is good in the natural garden but also in the border.