Dark mullein - Verbascum nigrum

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Dark mullein - Verbascum nigrum
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature

A stately biennial plant found growing in the wild on road verges and hedge banks, especially on recently disturbed ground, dark mullein is semi-evergreen and clump-forming, with dark green, oblong leaves. Its tall, branched flower stems are covered in golden yellow flowers, with purple centres, from June onwards, offering nectar and pollen to bees.

This is an excellent native plant for the back of a sunny flower border with well-drained soil. After flowering, the flower spikes should be left on the plant until the following spring, allowing the seeds to ripen and set to ensure plants for following years. The seeds will also provide food for numerous seed-eating creatures and the flower stems will provide hibernation sites for over-wintering insects and other invertebrates.

Animals

Bees and wasps, Figwort weevil, Goldfinch, Linnet, The mullein moth

Foliage	Green
Flower	Yellow, June to September
Moisture	(Dry)
Sunlight	(Full sun)
Origin	Native