Verbascum bombyciferum 'Polarsommer'

Broussa or giant mullein, Verbascum bombyciferum, is a statuesque biennial with silvery, hairy foliage and tall flower spikes bearing bright yellow flowers.

Verbascum bombyciferum 'Polarsommer' – sometimes known as 'Arctic Summer' – is so-called because it bears a particularly dense and long-lasting layer of hairs, that give it a frosted appearance. In its first year it produces a rosette of large leaves. In the second year, a tall, sometimes branched flower spike emerges, bearing short-lived but numerous yellow flowers. It’s a great plant for wildlife – carder bees (Anthidium) use the ‘fur’ on the leaves to build their nests, the flowers attract bees and hoverflies and the foliage serves as a caterpillar food plant.

Verbascum bombyciferum 'Polarsommer' is a good self-seeder, and is often found growing on disturbed soils where the long-lived seeds have been able to germinate. For best results grow Verbascum bombyciferum 'Polarsommer' in full sun in well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil. It’s best not to crowd it too much with other plants, as it’s easily overcrowded and outcompeted in these situations.