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Verbascum ‘Plum Smokey’ (Mullein)

Plum Smokey Mullein

Verbascum 'Plum Smokey', Plum Smokey Mullein, Purple flowers, Architectural plants, Vertical Plants, Deer Tolerant perennials,
Verbascum 'Plum Smokey', Plum Smokey Mullein, Purple flowers, Architectural plants, Vertical Plants, Deer Tolerant perennials,

Compact, Verbascum ‘Plum Smokey’ is a short-lived perennial with a profusion of graceful spikes smothered with large, smoky-purple flowers. Blooming over a long flowering period extending from late spring to late summer (if properly deadheaded), the flower stalks rise elegantly from a handsome low-growing rosette of crispy-green leaves. Perfect for sunny borders and small gardens.

  • Grows up to 8-16 in. tall (20-40 cm) and 12 in. wide (30 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. Excellent as cut flowers and great in containers too.
  • Remove spent flower spikes before seed sets to promote further blooms and to avoid undesired self-seeding in the garden. May be propagated by root cuttings in late winter to early spring.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 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 Perennials
Plant Family Scrophulariaceae
Genus Verbascum
Common names Mullein
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 8" - 2'
(20cm - 60cm)
Spread 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Verbascum ‘Dark Eyes’ (Mullein)
Verbascum ‘Jackie in Pink’ (Mullein)
Verbascum thapsus (Common Mullein)
Verbascum bombyciferum (Giant Silver Mullein)
Verbascum ‘Honey Dijon’ (Mullein)
Verbascum ‘Gold Nugget’ (Mullein)

Recommended Companion Plants

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Ruby Port’ (Columbine)
Anthriscus sylvestris ‘Ravenswing’ (Cow Parsley)
Anemanthele lessoniana (New Zealand Wind Grass)
Allium ‘Mont Blanc’ (Ornamental Onion)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Verbascum (Mullein)
For the Love of Bees: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
Native Plant Alternatives to Verbascum thapsus (Common Mullein)
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 5 - 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 Perennials
Plant Family Scrophulariaceae
Genus Verbascum
Common names Mullein
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 8" - 2'
(20cm - 60cm)
Spread 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Verbascum (Mullein)
Guides with
Verbascum (Mullein)
Not sure which Verbascum (Mullein) to pick?
Compare Now

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