The Verbascums are really taking off this year! I'm 6 feet 1 and a half inches tall, and this tallest one nearly matches me for height, (self-seeded)
I've not been a great lover of these perennials over the years, but I’m really starting to love them after many years of spotting them popping up in the most unexpected places. It's the value for wildlife that's really winning me over!
Commonly known as Mullein, Verbascum are an exceptional wildlife plant which supports a wide variety of insects and birds across the plant’s life cycle. Bee species: Honeybees, Bumblebees, and Solitary bees are all drawn to the tall rich nectar spikes. Interesting that the wool coating on the leaves (permanent feature) is collected by the Carder bee using the soft fuzzy hairs to build their nests! (more in depth look for HPS Journal article)
The leaves are also the primary food source for the brightly coloured caterpillars of the Mullein moth species.
The open flowers of Verbascum are a rich supply of pollen for hoverflies, butterflies, and moths. Birds busy in the autumn eating the seeds from the spent flower spikes, the tiny seeds are produced in massive quantities. They are particularly liked by Goldfinches.
Overwintering insects can survive within the rigid stems, a safe refuge for beneficial garden insects.
You can refer to the RHS guidance on growing Verbascums for biodiversity, or the Butterfly Conservation guide on Mullein moth.
Kevin Line is Head Gardener/ Horticulturist, Lakeside Hotel Garden, Cumbria, and also blogs for Lancashire Wildlife Trust, member of Butterfly Conservation, the RHS, Professional Gardeners ‘Guild.
