Giant Silver Mullein

Verbascum bombyciferum

Plant Details:

Plant Type: Perennial
Plant Family: Scrophulariaceae
Plant Description: A short-lived perennial or biennial, this ornamental plant forms a large mound of silvery-gray, woolly leaves that are striking in a contrasting landscape. For the first year it will only grow leaves. During its second year, it will grow a tall stalk up to 6 feet of yellow flowers that grow tightly in a spike. It prefers dry areas and will self-sow.

Maintenance:

Maintenance Type: Perennial - Herbaceous
Plant Care: Perennial - Herbaceous (soft-stemmed plants that die back in winter and regrow in spring): Remove spent blooms to promote rebloom later. Some plants tend to flop over after the first bloom and attempt to regrow from the base; in these cases, the old stems can be cut away in summer. As plants become dormant in the fall, remove dead leaves and stems.

Plant Attributes:

Mature Size: 3-6' tall x 1-3' wide
Utah Native: No
Plant Select: No
Pollinator Friendly: Yes
Localscapes: Infill Plant, Foundation Plant
Foliage Interest: No
Foliage Colors: Gray-green, Silver-green
Bloom Colors: Yellow
Bloom Seasons: Late Summer
Bloom Period: Aug - Sep

Growing Conditions:

Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun)
Irrigation Requirement:     Low (1/2" every 10-14 days)
Salt Tolerant: Unknown
Deer Resistant: Unknown

Garden Location:

  • Maintenance Path
    • Moving Day
    • Outsmart Invaders
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Winter