Verbascum 'DARK EYES'

Verbascum is a large genus of about 360 species of mullein. It is widespread all around Europe and in the Czech Republic the most famous is v.densiflorum with up to 2m tall stems and yellow flowers that are used in herbal medicine. Like most of her sisters it is a biennial but there are a few perennial species and hybrids of shorter growth and great garden performance.

Dark Eyes is a hybrid mullein bred by Harini Korlipara from Terranova Nurseris in Oregon, USA, and patent No. PP16986 was granted in 2006. It is a perennial variety producing vanilla yellow flowers with dark maroon red centres. They are composed in up to 30 cm tall, dense spikes, and as they open from the bottom upwards new, lateral branches are formed, holding flower buds for later. Blooming begins in late May and continues until midsummer. If you cut off stems with spent flowers you can prolong flowering until end August. Rugose, deciduous leaves are large, dark green, broadly elliptic, and partly glossy. In wet ground they may be prone to powdery mildew.

Mullein hates too much water. It is best grown in neutral to alkaline, well-drained soil in full sun only. Feeding is not necessary but may promote formation of new flowers in late summer. It is hardy to min. -29 °C (USDA zone 5) but not suitable for pots where you can never achieve the optimum balance between dry and wet ground.

Last update 30-08-2020