Verbascum 'Helen Johnson'
mullein
- Position: Full sun
- Soil: poor, well-drained, alkaline soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: July to August
- Flower colour: brownish-pink
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Erect spires of saucer-shaped, brownish-pink flowers with purple centres from May to August above rosettes of grey-green leaves A comparatively recent introduction, this brownish-pink verbascum is valued for its neat habit. Perfect for the middle of a sunny border or cottage garden it prefers poor, well-drained, alkaline soils.
- Garden care: Mullein moth caterpillars can be a problem: pick off the insects in early June as soon as they appear. Remove faded flower-spikes. Apply a thick 5-7cm mulch around the base of the plant in early spring.
It is worth keeping in mind that these plants are mainly biennial, so although they usually self-seed freely, the plant will only live for two years.
- Eventual Height: 0.9m
- Eventual Spread: 0.3m