Purple Mullein
Verbascum phoeniceum
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Krym, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine
Jeffdelonge (en.wikipedia.org) at French Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Scrophulariaceae
- Genus:
- Verbascum
- Species:
- Verbascum phoeniceum
- USDA Symbol:
- VEPH2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, pink, white, violet
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, moderately fertile loam
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to open, sunny areas with good drainage
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light to germinate; surface sow and do not cover. Germinates best at 65-75°F.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.