Botanical Interests
Shades of Summer Verbascum (Mullein) Seeds
Shades of Summer Verbascum (Mullein) Seeds
Verbascum phoeniceum
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Product Details
Product Details
A truly spectacular perennial! Each plant has multiple graceful spikes of blossoms in white, pink, deep rose, violet, and purple that attract butterflies. Fairly drought tolerant, fast growing, excellent in dry landscape gardens, or alone in mass plantings. Wonderful cut flowers; even dried stalks with seed pods add interest to dried arrangements.
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- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
Variety Info
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Native: Europe, Asia
Hardiness: Perennial (short-lived) in USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Period: Late spring to summer
Plant Dimensions: 2'–4' tall, 1'–2' wide
Variety Info: 1 ¼" wide, single flowers in white, pink, deep rose, violet, and purple
Attributes: Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flower, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date and up to 2 months before your average first fall frost date. If sown as early as January in mild climates, plants may bloom first year. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 60°–70°F.
When to Start Inside: 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. If started as early as January, may bloom first year. Sow in biodegradable pots; tap roots are sensitive to disturbance.
Sprouts in: 5–15 days
Plant Seeds (Depth): Press into surface
Space Seeds: A group of 4 seeds every 12"
Thinning: When ½"–1" tall, thin to 1 every 12"
- Marija B.Verified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 starsMay 19, 2026Surpasses expectations
Started these last year,seeds were quick to germinate and in the early spring I acclimated them outdoors.The plant is very hardy from my observation-It can tolerate cool conditions in spring and also dry spells in summer.This year I have decided it is one of my favorite perennials! A star in the mid may garden.
EGEpic GardeningMay 19, 2026Hey Marija,
We're absolutely thrilled to hear that our Shades of Summer Verbascum Seeds have become one of your favorite perennials! What an amazing journey from quick germination to becoming a star in your mid-May garden. We love that you've discovered how hardy and versatile these plants are - tolerating both cool spring conditions and those dry summer spells. It sounds like they've truly surpassed your expectations! Thanks for sharing your fantastic verbascum growing success with us! Keep on growing 🌻️
- JAVerified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 starsMay 7, 2026Little Effort Required
These seeds germinated at a high rate after being scattered on bare dry ground with zero effort tending them. When I brushed off my fingers I must have dropped a few into a gravel path that bakes in full sun and those are up as well. Wild Verbascum (blattaria alba) comes up on our property so I counted on these coming up on their own. I'm sure I could have made the most of each seed and germinated them cells with heat mats, but seed starting real estate is at a premium indoors so I've saved the special care for more valuable, finicky seeds. Only a few were photographed; there are many more blooming elsewhere.
EGEpic GardeningMay 7, 2026Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a fantastic review! I love hearing about your no-fuss approach to growing these Shades of Summer Verbascum seeds - it's amazing that they germinated so well even when scattered on bare ground and in that gravel path! Thank you for sharing your successful growing method - other gardeners will definitely benefit from your practical approach. Keep on growing 🌻️
- GinaVerified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 starsApr 15, 2026Beautiful lasting repeat bloomers
Really enjoyed these Verbascum last summer in an extra large planter.
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerEGEpic GardeningApr 19, 2026Hey Gina,
We're so happy to hear you enjoyed your Shades of Summer Verbascum last summer! Those beautiful lasting repeat bloomers really are something special, aren't they? Verbascum produces such gorgeous tall flower spikes with those lovely soft colors, and the fact that they keep blooming throughout the season makes them such garden stars. Growing them in an extra large planter sounds like the perfect setup - they had plenty of room to really show off! We bet you're already planning to grow them again this year. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Jolea H.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsMar 25, 2026First time growing Verbascum
I sowed these seeds on November 30, 2025, hoping for first year blooms. I have potted them up once and hoping I don't need to again before transplanting them outside. They are growing vigorously and look fantastic. I always have excellent germination with Botanical Interests seeds. I have been buying from them for several years. Zone 8B, Washington state.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningMar 27, 2026Hey Jolea,
We're so excited to hear about your first-time success with our Shades of Summer Verbascum Seeds! It sounds like you're off to a fantastic start - vigorous growth and healthy-looking plants are exactly what you want to see at this stage. Your timing with the November sowing was perfect for getting those first-year blooms you're hoping for! We love hearing from loyal customers like you who've been growing with us for several years - it means the world to us that you consistently get excellent germination with our seeds. Your verbascum is going to put on quite the show once it gets established in your Zone 8B garden! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Susan F.Rated 5 out of 5 starsFeb 9, 20255 Stars
I sowed these indoors January 8 under regular LED lights. Amazing germination rate and very vigorous seedlings. I love their healthy dark green foliage. I have potted them up once and can’t wait to harden them off to plant out in early March. (Texas)
Botanical Interests, can you recommend companion plants that work with the shape and size of this variety? I can’t find photos of them in a mixed border, only closeups of single specimens.
