Most people only know mulleins with yellow inflorescences. But there are also varieties that have purple or pink flowers.
The majestic mulleins (Verbascum) are a real eye-catcher in every garden, because the plants can reach a height of up to 200 centimetres!
The showy plants bloom continuously from May to August. Some varieties even into September and October. Most torch flowers bloom yellow, but some varieties also bloom pink, pink or purple.
mulleins: the beauties in the natural garden
The mullein, also known as wool flower or torch flower, belongs to the figwort family. A distinction is made between annual and perennial species. The special thing about the plant: the flower buds are arranged all around the top of the strong stem. This makes them a real eye-catcher in the garden.
mulleins are also unconventional, because they multiply themselves through the seeds that are sown and appear somewhere in the garden the next year. They are therefore particularly suitable for a natural garden that is not completely planned. A location in full sun and sandy, nutrient-poor soil are ideal. Depending on the variety, the plants have flowers of different sizes. We introduce you to the most beautiful varieties, from well-known mulleins to new breeds and hybrids.
Yellow Flowering Verbascum
❍ Small-flowered mullein:
The small-flowered mullein has gray-green foliage that is densely branched in the lower part. The dense hairiness on the underside of the leaves is particularly striking. The flowers are pale yellow and rather small. The inflorescence is about 30 centimeters long. The entire plant can reach a height of up to two meters.
❍ Large Flowered Mullein:
The flowers of the large-flowered mullein are bright golden yellow, the foliage is green and also hairy. The variety reaches different heights from 30 to 200 centimeters.
❍ Black Mullein:
Despite the sinister name, black mullein has bright yellow flowers with showy, reddish stamens. The leaves are large and fresh green. With a height of 150 centimetres, the black mullein is a dominant plant in the garden.
A strong eye-catcher in violet
The violet mullein, also called Phoenician mullein, is only 30 to 80 centimeters high. However, some specimens also reach a height of one meter. It flowers from May to June - rather short compared to other mulleins, but particularly beautiful. The violet flowers have a strong luminosity and form an impressive contrast to the grey-green foliage.
A quiet beauty with delicate white flowers
The mealy mullein is also called heather mullein or heather torch mullein. The leaves are smooth and green on top and very densely hairy on the underside. The hair looks mealy and is responsible for the name. The flowers are unassuming at first glance, but up close the dainty petals reveal their charming side.
Hybrids in strong colors from yellow to pink:
- The solitary perennial 'Cotswold Queen' shows stately inflorescences in a strong amber yellow.
- Jackie in Pink blooms with a constant stream of pink flower spikes all summer long.
- "Jackie" is a hybrid with soft pink flowers. Especially the red stamens look very pretty.
- "Pink Petticoat" has numerous, very large and decorative flowers in a bright pink.
With hybrids, it's worth trimming the flower spikes after the first bloom. Most hybrid mulleins begin their second flowering in August!