Verbascum 'Dark Eyes'® – Planting & Care Guide

About Verbascum 'Dark Eyes'®

Verbascum 'Dark Eyes'®, commonly known as Mullein, is a compact, long-flowering perennial that produces elegant spikes of soft buttery-yellow flowers, each with a distinctive deep purple eye. Flowering from late spring through to late summer, this award-winning variety brings vertical interest, subtle colour and a cottage garden charm to borders and containers.

Growing to approximately 45–60cm tall with a spread of 30–40cm, 'Dark Eyes'® forms a neat clump of attractive grey-green foliage. The nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects, making it an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly gardens. Its compact habit makes it particularly suitable for smaller gardens and patio planting.

Planting Guide

• Plant in full sun for the best flowering display.
• Choose a warm, sheltered position.
• Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil.
• Suitable for sandy, chalky and loam soils.
• Improve drainage in heavy soils by incorporating horticultural grit.
• Dig a planting hole twice the width of the root ball and the same depth.
• Position the crown level with the surrounding soil surface.
• Backfill with soil, firm gently and water thoroughly.
• Apply a light mulch around the base, avoiding direct contact with the crown.
• Space plants approximately 35–45cm apart.

Care & Maintenance

Verbascum 'Dark Eyes'® is a low-maintenance perennial once established.

• Water regularly during the first growing season.
• Once established, water only during prolonged dry periods.
• Avoid excessive watering, particularly during winter.
• Feed in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser.
• Avoid overfeeding, as this can encourage leafy growth with fewer flowers.
• Remove weeds regularly around the base.
• Ensure good drainage throughout the year.

Pruning

Regular maintenance helps extend the flowering season.

• Deadhead faded flower spikes to encourage repeat blooms.
• Cut spent flower stems back to the base after flowering.
• Remove damaged or dead foliage as required.
• Leave the basal foliage over winter where possible.
• Cut back old foliage in early spring as fresh growth begins.

Growing Conditions

• Botanical Name: Verbascum 'Dark Eyes'®
• Common Name: Mullein
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Mature Height: 45–60cm
• Spread: 30–40cm
• Flower Colour: Soft yellow with deep purple centres
• Flowering Period: May to August
• Foliage: Grey-green, slightly hairy leaves
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout Ireland and the UK

Ideal Uses in the Garden

Verbascum 'Dark Eyes'® is perfect for adding vertical interest and long-lasting colour.

• Cottage gardens
• Mixed perennial borders
• Gravel gardens
• Pollinator-friendly gardens
• Wildlife gardens
• Patio containers
• Raised beds
• Mediterranean-style gardens
• Courtyard gardens
• Informal planting schemes

It combines beautifully with Salvia, Nepeta, Lavender, Geranium, Achillea, Echinacea, Gaura and ornamental grasses.

Seasonal Interest

• Attractive grey-green foliage appears in spring.
• Elegant flower spikes emerge in late spring.
• Soft yellow flowers with striking purple centres bloom throughout summer.
• Flowers attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinating insects.
• Deadheading encourages additional flowering.
• Foliage provides structure until plants die back in autumn.

Common Problems

Verbascum 'Dark Eyes'® is generally healthy and easy to grow.

• Poor drainage can lead to crown or root rot.
• Slugs and snails may occasionally feed on young shoots.
• Powdery mildew may develop in overcrowded or poorly ventilated conditions.
• Aphids can sometimes appear on flower stems.
• Plant in full sun with well-drained soil and good air circulation for the healthiest plants.

With its elegant flower spikes, distinctive yellow blooms with deep purple eyes and compact growth habit, Verbascum 'Dark Eyes'® is an excellent addition to Irish gardens. Easy to grow and loved by pollinators, it provides months of colour and vertical interest, making it ideal for borders, gravel gardens, patio containers and cottage-style planting schemes

Kindly be aware when mix/ mixed/ assorted/ varieties is mention you will receive ONLY ONE plant/ item, which will be selected for delivery, photos may show different varieties available - which may also vary 

 
We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via DPD Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

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