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Verbascum bombyciferum ‘Polarsommer’

Broussa mullein

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Flowers
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Flowers	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D

Botanical name: Verbascum bombyciferum 'Polarsommer'
Common name: Broussa mullein
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Plant Type: Biennial

Flower colour:

Yellow

Foliage colour:

Silver

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.