Verbascum phoeniceum Flush of White - Mullein

Verbascum phoeniceum 'Flush of White' is a delightful variety of hybrid perennial mullein with long, pure white summer flowering. It is tall but graceful and consistently produces flower spikes with white cup-shaped flowers and cream stamens, even in poor, occasionally dry and chalky soils. This hardy, generous plant easily self-seeds randomly through flower beds. Indispensable in romantic gardens and slightly wild and barren places.

The 'Flush of White' Hybrid Mullein belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family. It is a hybrid, the result of cross-breeding Verbascum phoeniceum among others, a species native to central-eastern Europe and the Middle East, naturalised in western Europe in dry meadows and uncultivated areas. This plant reaches a height of 70-80 cm (28-32in), even more in fertile soil, but at the expense of its stability. Its growth is rapid, and the final size can be achieved in one month. This perennial has a rosette from which long branched floral stems emerge. It will flower from June to August, with pyramid-shaped spikes reaching 60 cm (24in) high, composed of tight white cup-shaped, 3 cm (1in) flowers, opening sporadically along the spike. The rosettes are composed of flat, fan-shaped, oval, wavy, toothed, dark green, velvety leaves,  20 cm (8in) long. This nectar-rich mullein loved by bees. It has a shorter lifespan in heavy and moist soil, and is longer-lived in well-drained and poor soil. This plant easily self-seeds in light soil and usually flowers in the same year as sowing.

'Flush of White' prefers full sun. It is very resistant to wind and tolerates occasional drought and ordinary or even poor soil, although it will be more floriferous in soil that is not too poor, even clayey and chalky, and very well-drained. This Verbascum adds elegance and lightness to flower beds. Due to its volume and height, it can be placed in the background of a flower bed or grouped in a flower border. It naturally blends into the scenery of a white or wild garden due to its rustic appearance and white colour, but also looks good in a romantic garden. It can be planted in a pot on the terrace to fully enjoy its splendid flowers. Its tall flower spikes will make wonderful summer bouquets. It will be the ideal companion in mixed perennial borders with shrub or climbing roses, delphiniums, grasses, or other species of Mulleins.