A Majestic Architectural Herb — Towering Spires of Yellow Blooms and Velvety Silver-Grey FoliageVerbascum thapsus, Common Mullein, is one of the most striking and useful plants you can grow — a statuesque biennial with a long history of medicinal use that is equally at home in the herb garden, the cottage border, or a naturalistic planting. In its first year it forms a large, flat rosette of extraordinarily soft, densely felted silver-grey leaves — tactile, beautiful, and unlike almost anything else in the garden. In its second year it sends up a bold, upright flower spike that can reach 1.5–2m tall, densely clothed in small, bright yellow five-petalled flowers that open progressively up the spike over a long summer season. A plant of real presence and character, beloved by bees and other pollinators, and with a rich tradition of use as a medicinal herb across many cultures. Easy to grow and self-seeds reliably once established, ensuring a continuing supply of plants year after year.Why Gardeners Love It 🌿 Extraordinary velvety silver-grey foliage — the large, densely felted rosette leaves in the first year are among the most tactile and beautiful of any garden plant; soft as flannel and a striking silver-grey 🌼 Towering yellow flower spikes — bold upright spires to 1.5–2m tall, densely set with bright yellow five-petalled flowers opening progressively over a long summer season; architectural and dramatic 🐝 Loved by bees and pollinators — the flowers are a valuable nectar source for bees and other beneficial insects throughout summer 🌱 Rich medicinal heritage — one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in traditional herbalism across Europe and beyond; the leaves and flowers have a long history of use for respiratory support and other applications 🌱 Easy to grow and self-seeds freely — once established, Mullein will self-seed reliably around the garden, ensuring a continuing supply of plants with no effort ☀️ Thrives in poor, dry soils — one of the most drought-tolerant and unfussy plants you can grow; perfectly suited to dry banks, gravel gardens, and difficult sunny spots Growing Tips for New ZealandSow Verbascum thapsus in trays or direct in spring or early autumn onto moist seed-raising mix; press seeds lightly onto the surface as they need light to germinate. Transplant or thin seedlings to 60cm apart in a sunny position with well-drained, even poor soil — Mullein thrives in dry, lean conditions and dislikes rich, wet soils. Plants form a large flat rosette in the first year and send up their dramatic flower spike in the second year. Allow a few plants to set seed each season to ensure a self-sustaining colony. Mullein is well-suited to most NZ regions and is particularly effective in dry, sunny gardens.Medicinal NoteMullein has a long tradition of use as a medicinal herb. The large felted leaves and flowers have historically been used in herbal preparations for respiratory support. As with all medicinal herbs, please research appropriate use and consult a qualified practitioner before use.What's in the PacketEach packet contains 15 seeds of Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), with growing instructions included.
