Verbascum olympicum
(Olympic Mullein)
Family - Scrophulariaceae
Category - Biennial, perennial
Origin - Greece, Turkey
Year of Introduction - 1883
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H6
Height - 2m
Width - 60cm
Location - The Hot Garden
Description: A Biennial or short-lived Perennial with a columnar, upright habit and branching stems. Grey-green to mid-green leaves are covered in soft white felt and held in large, striking basal rosettes in the plant's first year. Thereafter the leaves become smaller and are held on the upright, branching stems. Bright golden yellow, saucer-shaped flowers have white, hairy stamens. The Blooms are densely held on long candelabra-like spikes. The flowers are produced from early to late summer in the plant's second or third year. Attractive to pollinating insects.
Synonym - Verbascum longifolium var. pannosum
Additional common name - Olympian Mullein
Flower:
Bright golden yellow flowers are saucer-shaped and have white, hairy stamens. The blooms are densely held on long, candelabra-like spikes. The flowers are produced as early as June and into August in the plant's second or third year.
Flower colour: Yellow
Flower shape: Saucer-shaped flowers in spikes
Flowering time: June, July, August
Foliage:
Large grey-green to mid-green leaves are broadly lanceolate with pointed tips and are heavily felted with soft white hairs. The plant forms large, striking basal rosettes in the first year. Smaller leaves are produced thereafter and are Alternately arranged on the upright flowering stems.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Lanceolate
Propagation:
Cultivation:
Best in full sun in well drained soil. This plant will most likely need staking if growing in fertile soil.
