Verbascum phoeniceum Violetta - Mullein

Verbascum phoeniceum 'Violetta' is a variety of Phoenician mullein with beautiful purple flowers for a long period in summer. It is tall and graceful, consistently producing highly flowered candelabras, even in poor, occasionally dry and chalky soils. Hardy and generous, it readily self-seeds randomly through flower beds and is irreplaceable in romantic gardens with a slightly wild feel.

The 'Violetta' Mullein belongs to the scrophulariaceae family. It is a descendant of the Verbascum phoeniceum, a perennial species native to central-eastern Europe and the Middle East, naturalised in Western Europe in dry meadows and uncultivated areas. This plant will reach 60-70 cm (24-28in) high, even more in fertile soil, at the expense of its sturdiness. Its growth is very rapid, reaching its final size in one month. This perennial has a rosette from which long-branched flower stems emerge. It will flower from June to August, if faded flower stalks are removed, in the form of pyramidal floral spikes of tightly packed, deep purple, 3 cm (1in) cup-shaped flowers. The rosettes are composed of flat, ovate, wavy, toothed, dark green, 20cm (8in) long, downy leaves in a fan shape. This nectar-rich mullein is loved by bees. It is short-lived in heavy and moist soil, but longer-lasting in well-drained and poor soil. This plant readily self-seeds in light soil and usually flowers in the same year as sowing.

The 'Violetta' Mullein prefers sunlight. It tolerates temporary drought and ordinary, even poor soil, but it will have more flowers in soil that is not too poor, even clayey and chalky, and very well-drained. It brings elegance and lightness to flower beds and with its volume and height, the mullein works well in the background of flower beds or groups in a flower bed. It naturally fits into a wild garden or a naturalistic garden with its rustic appearance, but also in a romantic garden setting. You can grow it in a pot on the terrace to enjoy its splendid flowers and its tall flower stalks make wonderful cut flowers. Mullein accompanies many perennials, shrub or climbing roses, hollyhocks, delphiniums, or grasses in mixed borders and you can also combine it with other mulleins.