Verbascum phoeniceum ‘Temptress Purple’ (Purple Mullein)
Temptress Purple Mullein, Verbascum 'Temptress Purple', Purple Mullein 'Temptress Purple'
A compact selection, Verbascum phoeniceum ‘Temptress Purple’ (Purple Mullein) is a rosette-forming biennial or short-lived perennial with graceful, airy spikes of rich grape-purple flowers. Flat-faced, each flower sports a darker center with golden stamens. Blooming over a long flowering period extending from late spring to late summer, the flowers are borne on thin stems and rise above a low rosette of scalloped, dark green leaves. Shorter than most Verbascums, ‘Temptress Purple’ is perfect for the smaller garden and great for border fronts, containers or rock gardens.
- Grows up to 15-18 in. tall (37-45 cm) and 10-12 in. wide (25-30 cm). Self-seeds easily
- Enjoys full sun in poor, dry to medium, alkaline, well-drained soils.
- 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 borders and beds, gravel gardens, cottage gardens.
- Remove spent flower spikes. Propagate by division in spring or take root cuttings in winter.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
6 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 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 |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spread |
10" - 1' (30cm - 30cm) |
| Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer |
| Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Small Gardens |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
Alternative Plants to Consider
Recommended Companion Plants
Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens
Maxal Tamor, Shutterstock
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.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
6 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 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 |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spread |
10" - 1' (30cm - 30cm) |
| Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer |
| Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Small Gardens |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
