Purple Mullein

Verbascumphoeniceum

Family
Scrophulariaceae (skrof-yoo-larr-ee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Verbascum (ver-BASK-um)
Species
phoeniceum (feen-ih-KEE-um)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Bloom Color
Pink
Medium Purple
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Biennials
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Kiowa, Colorado

Loveland, Colorado

Parker, Colorado

Augusta, Georgia

Barbourville, Kentucky

Ft Mitchell, Kentucky

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Grove City, Ohio

Portland, Oregon

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Salt Lake City, Utah

Santaquin, Utah

Underhill, Vermont

Ellsworth, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
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D
West Valley City, UT (Zone 6b) | June 2007 | positive

I love the blooms, but the foliage gets really hammered when it gets hot and dry. I try to keep them well-watered; they look dry and mise...Read More

P
Westbrook, ME (Zone 5a) | January 2003 | positive

I love these little verbascums. They put out some nice colors and combine well anywhere in the garden. Plants are generally biennial but ...Read More

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | January 2003 | positive

This short-lived perennial is easily grown from seed; will bloom the first year if started early enough. I've planted these two years in...Read More

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