Verbascum

(Scrophulariaceae). Mullein. Genus of 360 species mainly summer flowering herbaceous perennials, some are semi-evergreen. They are found mainly on dry, stony hillsides, wasteland and in open woodland in Europe, N. Africa and W. and C. Asia. Usually hairy sometimes woolly plants, they have large, alternate, simple, entire, scalloped, lobed or toothed, soft-textured basal leaves which form large rosettes. Most produce one or a few tall, erect stems bearing flowers in dense spikes or racemes but some have flowers clustered within the rosette centres, over a long period, which are saucer shaped, outward facing. Good for large border or gravel bed or for naturalizing in a wild or woodland garden. Tolerates shade but prefers an open, sunny site.

Neutral to alkaline, poor, well drained soil in sun or dappled shade.