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(Verbascum phoeniceum)
Purple Mullein (Verbascum phoeniceum)
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Christina Staudigl
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Christina Staudigl
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Christina Staudigl | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Christina Staudigl | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-06-09T12:23:39-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Verbascum phoeniceum, commonly known as Purple Mullein, is a semi-evergreen perennial herb native to open grasslands and sunny, disturbed sites in Europe and Asia. It typically grows up to 1 meter tall and is characterized by its erect habit and a rosette of basal leaves. The vibrant purple-pink flowers are borne on a tall spike, with the inflorescence displaying multiple five-petaled flowers. The blooms open sequentially from the bottom up, creating a prolonged flowering period. Flower colors range from deep purple (’Violetta’) to pink (’Rosetta’) and white (’Flush of White’), making it a popular choice for hybridization. Purple Mullein is appreciated for its vertical accents in garden designs and its ability to attract pollinators.
Purple Mullein is valued for its showy flowers and ease of maintenance. It is often used in herbaceous borders, cottage gardens, and for naturalistic plantings. The plant thrives in alkaline or poor soils and requires full sun exposure to perform best. While it needs medium amounts of water, it is drought-tolerant once established and prefers well-drained soils. It is generally pest-free but can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained conditions. Purple Mullein is not known for aggressive roots or significant disease issues, making it a reliable choice for gardeners.CC BY-SA 4.0
Purple Mullein is valued for its showy flowers and ease of maintenance. It is often used in herbaceous borders, cottage gardens, and for naturalistic plantings. The plant thrives in alkaline or poor soils and requires full sun exposure to perform best. While it needs medium amounts of water, it is drought-tolerant once established and prefers well-drained soils. It is generally pest-free but can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained conditions. Purple Mullein is not known for aggressive roots or significant disease issues, making it a reliable choice for gardeners.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1.5-3 feet
- Width: 2-4 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, Purple, White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Semi-deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Open grasslands and sunny, disturbed sites in Europe and Asia
Other Names
Common Names: Violette Königskerze, Violkungsljus
Scientific Names: , Verbascum phoeniceum, Verbascum phoenicium, Celsia rechingerae, Verbascum phoeniceum var. dobrzyniense,
GBIF Accepted Name: Verbascum phoeniceum L.