Verbascum 'Southern Charm'
mullein 'Southern Charm'
A clump-forming, upright, sometimes short-lived perennial to 1.2m high, its greyish-green, hairy leaves forming a basal rosette. Long spikes of flowers in pastel shades ranging from cream, pale pink, apricot and lavender with purple stamens are borne in summer
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
AlkalineColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Cream Pink Purple Yellow | Green Grey Silver | ||
Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Scrophulariaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Verbascum can be annuals, biennials, perennials or subshrubs mostly with hairy leaves and 5-petalled, saucer-shaped flowers
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows best in an alkaline, well-drained soil in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring or by root cuttings in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Gravel garden
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Remove faded flower spikes
Pests
May be susceptible to mullein moth caterpillars and figwort weevil
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.