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Verbascum bombyciferum (Giant Silver Mullein)

Broussa Mullein, Giant Silver Mullein, Turkish Mullein, Verbascum 'Broussa'

Verbascum bombyciferum, Broussa Mullein, Turkish Mullein, Giant Silver Mullein, Yellow flowers,  Architectural plants, Vertical Plants, Deer Tolerant perennials,
Verbascum bombyciferum, Broussa Mullein, Turkish Mullein, Giant Silver Mullein, Yellow flowers,  Architectural plants, Vertical Plants, Deer Tolerant perennials,

Verbascum bombyciferum (Giant Silver Mullein) is a biennial or short-lived, evergreen perennial forming a rosette of large, heavily felted, silver-green leaves, up to 2 ft. across (60 cm), in its first year. Rising from the center of the rosette, an impressive silvery flower-spike bearing a succession of sulphur-yellow, saucer-shaped flowers, appears in the second year. Blooming from early to late summer, the spike still look attractive for months before starting to die off. Native to Asia Minor, Giant Silver Mullein self-seeds generously, keeping its presence in the garden. A bold, architectural plant that is ideal for the back of the border and perfect in wild and gravel gardens.

  • Grows up to 5-6 ft. tall (150-180 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. It is not fussy about soils and tolerates poor soils, but good drainage is essential. Plants grown in fertile soils grow taller and may require staking.
  • Drought tolerant and deer resistant, it is fairly pest and disease free. Watch, however, for caterpillars, figwort weevil and powdery mildew.
  • Provides a lovely vertical accent in the garden. Very useful and adaptable, it is well suited for beds and borders, gravel gardens, cottage gardens and wildlife gardens.
  • Remove spent flower spikes before seed sets to promote further blooms and to avoid undesired self-seeding in the garden.
  • Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring or early summer, or by root cuttings in winter.
  • Native to Asia Minor.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 2 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Annuals, Perennials
Plant Family Scrophulariaceae
Genus Verbascum
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 5' - 6'
(150cm - 180cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam
Soil pH Alkaline
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Verbascum 'Dark Eyes', Dark Eyes Mullein, Yellow flowers, Architectural plants, Vertical Plants, Deer Tolerant perennials,
Verbascum 'Jackie in Pink', Jackie in Pink Mullein, Pink flowers, Architectural plants, Vertical Plants, Deer Tolerant perennials,
Verbascum thapsus,Great Mullein, Aaron's Rod, Adam's Flannel, Beggar's Blanket, Blanket Leaf, Bullock's Lungwort, Candlewick, Yellow flowers, Architectural plants, Vertical Plants, Deer Tolerant perennials,
Verbascum 'Honey Dijon', Honey Dijon Mullein, Orange flowers, Yellow flowers,  Architectural plants, Vertical Plants, Deer Tolerant perennials,
Verbascum 'Plum Smokey', Plum Smokey Mullein, Purple flowers, Architectural plants, Vertical Plants, Deer Tolerant perennials,
Verbascum 'Gold Nugget', Gold Nugget Mullein, Yellow flowers,  Architectural plants, Vertical Plants, Deer Tolerant perennials,

Recommended Companion Plants

Verbascum Violetta', Verbascum phoeniceum 'Violetta', 'Violetta' Mullein, Verbascum 'Violetta', purple mullein 'Violetta', Purple flowers,  Architectural plants, Vertical Plants, Deer Tolerant perennials,
Lychnis Coronaria, Rose Campion, Rabbit's Ears, Crown Pink, Mullein Pink, Dry soil plant, deer resistant plant, AGM plant
Common Sneezeweed Moerheim Beauty, False Sunflower Moerheim Beauty, Helen's Flowe Moerheim Beautyr, Yellow Star Moerheim Beauty, Late summer perennial, AGM perennials
Perovskia 'Blue Spire',  Russian Sage 'Blue Spire', Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Spire', Perovskia hybrida 'Blue Spire', Best performing perennial, Perovskia Blue Spire,Perovskia Little Spire, Russian Sage Blue Spire, Russian Sage Little Spire
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 2 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Annuals, Perennials
Plant Family Scrophulariaceae
Genus Verbascum
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 5' - 6'
(150cm - 180cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam
Soil pH Alkaline
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Verbascum
Guides with
Verbascum
Not sure which Verbascum to pick?
Compare Now

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