Verbascum Plum Smokey® – Planting & Care Guide

About Verbascum Plum Smokey®

Verbascum Plum Smokey®, commonly known as Mullein, is a stunning compact perennial that produces elegant upright flower spikes in rich smoky plum and dusky purple tones with contrasting orange stamens. Flowering from late spring through to late summer, it brings height, colour and architectural interest to borders while providing an excellent food source for bees and other pollinating insects.

Growing to approximately 45–60cm tall with a spread of 35–45cm, Plum Smokey® forms a neat basal rosette of soft green foliage, from which numerous flowering stems emerge throughout the season. Its compact habit makes it ideal for smaller gardens, patio containers and the front or middle of sunny borders. Regular deadheading encourages repeat flowering, providing months of vibrant colour.

Planting Guide

• Plant in full sun for the best flowering display.
• Choose a warm, open position with good air circulation.
• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil.
• Thrives in loam, sandy and chalky soils.
• Improve heavy clay soils by adding compost and horticultural grit before planting.
• Dig a planting hole twice the width of the root ball and the same depth.
• Carefully remove the plant from its container and gently loosen the roots.
• Position the crown level with the surrounding soil surface.
• Backfill with soil, firm gently and water thoroughly.
• Apply a light mulch around the base while keeping the crown clear.
• Space plants approximately 35–45cm apart.

Care & Maintenance

Verbascum Plum Smokey® is an easy-care perennial that thrives with minimal attention.

• Water regularly during the first growing season.
• Once established, water only during prolonged dry spells.
• Avoid prolonged waterlogging, particularly during winter.
• Feed in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser.
• Apply a light liquid feed during the flowering season if growing in containers.
• Remove weeds regularly while plants establish.
• Ensure good drainage throughout the year.
• Divide mature plants only if necessary, as they prefer to remain undisturbed.

Pruning

Regular pruning encourages repeat flowering.

• Deadhead spent flower spikes promptly to encourage new blooms.
• Cut flower stems back to the base after flowering.
• Remove damaged or yellowing leaves throughout the growing season.
• Trim away old foliage in late autumn or early spring.
• Leave healthy basal foliage in place over winter where possible.

Growing Conditions

• Botanical Name: Verbascum Plum Smokey®
• Common Name: Mullein
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Mature Height: 45–60cm
• Spread: 35–45cm
• Flower Colour: Smoky plum-purple with orange stamens
• Flowering Period: May to August, often longer with regular deadheading
• Foliage: Soft green, slightly hairy leaves
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout Ireland and the UK

Ideal Uses in the Garden

Verbascum Plum Smokey® is perfect for adding vertical colour and structure.

• Cottage gardens
• Mixed perennial borders
• Gravel gardens
• Pollinator-friendly gardens
• Wildlife gardens
• Raised beds
• Patio containers
• Mediterranean-style gardens
• Contemporary planting schemes
• Cut flower gardens

It combines beautifully with Salvia, Nepeta, Lavender, Geum, Dianthus, Achillea, Echinacea, Geraniums and ornamental grasses.

Seasonal Interest

• Fresh green foliage forms a neat rosette in spring.
• Upright flower spikes emerge in late spring.
• Rich plum-purple flowers bloom continuously throughout summer.
• Flowers attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinating insects.
• Regular deadheading encourages repeat flowering.
• Plants die back in winter before producing fresh growth the following spring.

Common Problems

Verbascum Plum Smokey® is generally healthy and easy to grow.

• Poor drainage can lead to crown or root rot.
• Slugs and snails may occasionally damage young spring growth.
• Powdery mildew may occur in humid conditions with poor air circulation.
• Overly rich soil can encourage excessive leafy growth with fewer flowers.
• Good drainage, full sun and regular deadheading help maintain healthy, vigorous plants.

With its elegant smoky plum flower spikes, compact habit and long flowering season, Verbascum Plum Smokey® is an outstanding perennial for Irish gardens. Hardy, low maintenance and highly attractive to pollinators, it provides months of colour and architectural interest, making it an excellent choice 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.
 

Click & Collect

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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