Verbascum Ready to Bloom

Verbascum in the Early Stages of the Bloom

Verbascum, Common Mullein, Verbascum thapsus 

This plant came to our garden by way of the wind as there were a number of them in a garden several houses up the street and a couple of small plants just appeared in our front garden.  

You will often see this Verbascum in British gardens as it makes a great architectural plant. Even though it is a very invasive plant and spreads seeds quite a bit, I still enjoy it in the garden.  To keep this plant under control, the large bloom can be removed before it sets seeds or small plants are easily pulled out.  

Verbascum, Common Mullein is a perennial medicinal herb and grows well in alkaline soil. In the first year of growth it forms a large basal rosette with large leaves that can grow up to l foot long.  In the second year of growth, it will produce a large erect flower stalk that can grow to over 2 foot tall. 

These plants are known for the softness of their light green leaves, and are sometime called "Bunny Ears" or "Flannel Leaf" Verbascum. This must be a good pollinator plant as it was covered with ladybugs when the tall bloom went to seed.