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Verbascum thapsus (Great mullein)

Other names: Aaron's rod, Bullock's lungwort, White mullein, Woollens, Woundweed, Velvet dock, Velvet leaf, Shepherd's club, Torch lily, Torches, Mullein dock , Old man's flannel, Rag paper, Lamb's wool, Light of the Lord, Lucernaria, Lady's foxglove, Jacob's staff, Jupiter's staff , Common mullein, Clown's lungwort, Bullock's lungwort, Adam's flannel, Cow's lungwort, Fluffweed, Hag taper, Hare's beard, Hedge taper , Candlewick

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Species
V. thapsus is a biennial with a rosette of large, grey, hairy ovate leaves, and a tall stem bearing pale yellow, saucer-shaped flowers in the second summer.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
2.5 m 0.5 m 1-2 years
8 ft 1 ft 1-2 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Loamy
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Alkaline
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • South
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Plant in alkaline, poor, well-drained soil in full sun. In more fertile soils, it grows large and needs support.

Suggested uses

Gravel, Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Wildlife, Bees (attract & feed bees)

UK hardiness

H6

USDA zones

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Semi-evergreen

Habit

Upright, Clump-forming

Native to

Europe, Great Britain, Western Asia, Central Asia, Southern Asia

Drought tolerant

Yes

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Remove faded flower spikes.

Propagation methods

Seed, Division

Pests

Figwort weevils

Caterpillars

Diseases

Powdery mildew

Take root cuttings

Remove faded flower stems in early summer

Support or stake (optional)

Plant early in spring in sun on poor, well-drained soil

Remove faded flowers stems in autumn (optional)

Plant container grown plants in a sunny postion

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (62)

Verbascum

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Verbascum nigrum
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Verbascum nigrum Dark mullein
Verbascum 'Blue Lagoon'
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Verbascum 'Blue Lagoon' Mullein 'Blue Lagoon'
Verbascum 'Temptress Purple'
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Verbascum 'Temptress Purple' Mullein 'Temptress Purple'
Verbascum blattaria f. albiflorum
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Verbascum blattaria f. albiflorum White moth mullein
Verbascum 'Jackie in Pink'
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Verbascum 'Jackie in Pink' Mullein 'Jackie in Pink'
Verbascum 'Plum Smokey'
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Verbascum 'Plum Smokey' Mullein 'Plum Smokey'
Verbascum x hybrida 'Southern Charm'
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Verbascum x hybrida 'Southern Charm' Verbascum 'Southern Charm'
Verbascum 'Rosie'
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Verbascum 'Rosie' Mullein 'Rosie'
Verbascum x hybridum 'Copper Rose'
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Verbascum x hybridum 'Copper Rose' Mullein 'Copper Rose'
Verbascum phoeniceum 'Violetta'
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Verbascum phoeniceum 'Violetta' Mullein 'Violetta'
Verbascum 'Clementine'
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Verbascum 'Clementine' Mullein 'Clementine'
Verbascum chaixii 'Album'
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Verbascum chaixii 'Album' White nettle-leaved mullein
Verbascum (Cotswold Group) 'Gainsborough'
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Verbascum (Cotswold Group) 'Gainsborough' Mullein 'Gainsborough'
Verbascum dumulosum
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Verbascum dumulosum Shrubby mullein
Verbascum 'Caribbean Crush'
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Verbascum 'Caribbean Crush' Mullein 'Caribbean Crush'
Verbascum 'Pink Petticoats'
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Verbascum 'Pink Petticoats' Mullein 'Pink Petticoats'
Verbascum 'Sugar Plum'
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Verbascum 'Sugar Plum' Mullein 'Sugar Plum'
Verbascum olympicum
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Verbascum olympicum Olympian mullein
Verbascum 'Buttercup'
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Verbascum 'Buttercup' Mullein 'Buttercup'
Verbascum bombyciferum 'Polarsommer'
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Verbascum bombyciferum 'Polarsommer' Silver mullein 'Polarsommer'
Verbascum 'Spica'
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Verbascum 'Spica' Mullein 'Spica'
Verbascum 'Jackie'
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Verbascum 'Jackie' Mullein 'Jackie'
Verbascum 'Pink Kisses'
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Verbascum 'Pink Kisses' Mullein 'Pink Kisses'
Verbascum 'Letitia'
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Verbascum 'Letitia' Dwarf Mullein 'Letitia'
Verbascum bombyciferum
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Verbascum bombyciferum Silver mullein
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Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss Verbascum thapsus with other Shoot members

Verbascum thapsus

Shoot User
708 0
It is attractive to insects, including bees. Its leaves hug the stem and appear to be grey-green because of the felt-like covering that coats the plant. The thick hairs on the leaves stem water loss and provide protection from browsing as they cause irritation if an animal attempts to eat any part of the plant. Common names include candlewick plant and high taper, as the stem was burnt as a flare on dark nights, while the fluffy hairs were scraped from the plant and used as wicks.
Posted: Saturday 23rd of May 2009 09:16 AM Last reply: Saturday 23rd of May 2009 09:16 AM
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