- Botanical name: Verbascum bombyciferum 'Polarsommer'
- Common name: Broussa mullein
- Family: Scrophulariaceae
- Plant Type: Biennial
Yellow
Silver
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Dramatic foliage
- Flowers
- Succeeds on poor soil
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.
How to grow Verbascum 'Polarsommer'
-
Plant size
1.8m height
60cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front, middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Chalky / alkaline / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do Sow in July |
A
Do Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Collect seeds | ||||||||||||
| Collect seeds |
J
Do not Collect seeds in January |
F
Do not Collect seeds in February |
M
Do not Collect seeds in March |
A
Do not Collect seeds in April |
M
Do not Collect seeds in May |
J
Do not Collect seeds in June |
J
Do Collect seeds in July |
A
Do Collect seeds in August |
S
Do not Collect seeds in September |
O
Do not Collect seeds in October |
N
Do not Collect seeds in November |
D
Do not Collect seeds in December |
Verbascum 'Polarsommer' and wildlife
Verbascum 'Polarsommer' is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Attractive to Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Verbascum 'Polarsommer' poisonous?
Verbascum 'Polarsommer' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Verbascum 'Polarsommer'
