Verbascum bombyciferum (Giant Silver Mullein)

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.