Verbascum 'Sugar Plum' – Planting & Care Guide

About Verbascum 'Sugar Plum'

Verbascum 'Sugar Plum', commonly known as Mullein, is a beautiful compact perennial admired for its elegant flower spikes and masses of soft plum-pink blooms with contrasting deep purple eyes. Flowering from late spring through to late summer, it adds height, colour and a relaxed cottage garden feel to borders while attracting a wide range of pollinating insects.

Growing to approximately 45–60cm tall with a spread of 35–45cm, 'Sugar Plum' forms a tidy rosette of soft green foliage from which numerous upright flowering stems emerge. Its compact size makes it ideal for smaller gardens, patio containers and the front or middle of sunny borders. With regular deadheading, it will continue producing fresh flower spikes throughout the season.

Planting Guide

• Plant in full sun for the best flowering display.
• Choose a warm, sheltered position with good air circulation.
• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil.
• Performs well in loam, sandy and chalky soils.
• Improve heavy clay soils with 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, keeping the crown clear.
• Space plants approximately 35–45cm apart.

Care & Maintenance

Verbascum 'Sugar Plum' is a low-maintenance perennial that performs best in sunny, well-drained positions.

• Water regularly during the first growing season.
• Once established, water only during prolonged dry spells.
• Avoid prolonged waterlogging, especially in winter.
• Feed in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser.
• Apply a liquid fertiliser every few weeks during flowering if growing in containers.
• Remove weeds regularly while plants establish.
• Ensure good drainage throughout the year.
• Avoid disturbing mature plants unnecessarily, as they develop deep root systems.

Pruning

Regular pruning encourages repeat flowering.

• Deadhead faded flower spikes to encourage continuous blooming.
• Cut flowering stems back to the base once blooms have finished.
• Remove damaged or yellowing foliage as required.
• Trim away old leaves in late autumn or early spring.
• Leave healthy basal foliage in place over winter where possible.

Growing Conditions

• Botanical Name: Verbascum 'Sugar Plum'
• Common Name: Mullein
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Mature Height: 45–60cm
• Spread: 35–45cm
• Flower Colour: Soft plum-pink with deep purple centres
• Flowering Period: May to August, often continuing into September 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 'Sugar Plum' is ideal for adding vertical colour and elegance to sunny gardens.

• 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, Achillea, Dianthus, Echinacea, Geraniums and ornamental grasses.

Seasonal Interest

• Fresh green foliage forms an attractive basal rosette in spring.
• Upright flower spikes emerge in late spring.
• Delicate plum-pink flowers bloom throughout summer.
• Flowers attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinating insects.
• Regular deadheading encourages repeat flowering.
• Plants die back in winter before fresh new growth appears in spring.

Common Problems

Verbascum 'Sugar Plum' is generally healthy and easy to grow.

• Poor drainage can lead to crown or root rot.
• Slugs and snails may occasionally feed on young spring growth.
• Powdery mildew may occur in humid conditions or where air circulation is poor.
• Overly rich soil can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
• Full sun, well-drained soil and regular deadheading help maintain healthy, vigorous plants.

With its elegant plum-pink flower spikes, compact growth habit and long flowering season, Verbascum 'Sugar Plum' is an excellent choice for Irish gardens. Hardy, reliable and easy to grow, it provides months of colour while attracting bees and butterflies, making it a superb addition to cottage gardens, gravel gardens, sunny borders and patio containers

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
 

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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.
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