Description

Great Mullein

The botanical name for Great Mullein is Verbascum thapsus. However, it is commonly known as an Aaron’s Rod, Hagtapers, Adam’s flannel, Our Lady’s candle, Donkey’s ears, Duffle and Hares-beard. The common names reflect how the plant was used throughout history. It is said the long stems were used as torches and Roman ladies used the flowers as a hair dye.

It is a biennial plant and during the first year it develops woolly to touch grey-green leaves. The following year, long stems grow with showy yellow flowers from June to August.

It will tolerate most well-drained soils, including wasteland and poor soils. Tolerates a windy position, however, it is advisable to use a cane to stop the tall stem from bending with the wind.

Bees, hover flies and butterflies love the nectar rich flowers. The brightly coloured caterpillars of the Mullein moth found on this plant. If you would like to see how stunning the Mullein moth is, you can read more about it here.

Seed care

Sow late spring in a greenhouse or early summer outdoors. Germination is a little unreliable, therefore it is better to sow more seeds than the number of plants required. If sowing indoors, it is best to use a seed tray, keep the soil most. Transplant in to a 9 0r 10 cm pot. Do not leave the transplanted plants for too long in the pots because they have long tap roots that do not like to be disturbed. However, if sowing outdoors, simply sow the seeds on prepared soil where you want the plants to grow.

The seeds are very fine with approximately 10,000 to 14,000 per gram.