Verbascum phoenicium 'Violetta'

Verbascums are eye-catching, drought-tolerant plants with felted, silver-grey rosettes of large leaves. Tall, furry flower-spikes emerge bearing wide-open, (usually) yellow flowers, in early to midsummer. Plants self-seed readily.

Verbascum phoenicium 'Violetta' is a compact perennial verbascum, bearing unusual rich purple blooms, followed by attractive seedheads, that gradually darken to a reddish-black. It's ideal for growing in a sunny mixed or herbaceous border, and is also suitable for growing in containers.

For best results grow Verbascum phoenicium 'Violetta' in well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in sun or partial shade. Cut old flowering stems to ground level to prolong flowering. Plants are the caterpillar foodplant of the mullein moth, Cucullia verbasci, which causes unsightly holes in the foliage. If possible grow 'Violetta' towards the centre of the border, so other plants mask the holey leaves, or grow wild verbascums nearby, onto which you can transfer the caterpillars.