Botanical Name: Verbascum bombyciferum
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Common Name: Silver Mullein  
Plant photo of: Verbascum bombyciferum
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

3-6'

 

Flower Color

Yellow

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Grey Green, Silver

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

Silhouette, Specimen

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Background, Perennial Border, Foundation, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers

 

Attracts Wildlife

Butterflies

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

A bold, architectural plant, Silver Mullein is a wonderful specimen plant. Plants form a large rosette of silvery-grey felted leaves in their first year, then send up tall stately spires of soft-yellow flowers through the second summer. Usually acts as a self-seeding biennial. Seedlings that appear may be easily moved while small, and in any case should be thinned to stand about two feet apart. Mulleins are most effective when used towards the back of the garden, surrounded by much lower plants. Grows 60 to 70 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide.
Grow in full sun and well drained soil, otherwise, it's not very particular. Tolerates drought (once established) and alkaline soils. Attracts butterflies; resistant to rabbits and deer.