This perennial is semi-evergreen so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun
• Soil: poor, well-drained, alkaline soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: May to August
• Hardiness: fully hardy (but short-lived)
  
  Bold spires of saucer-shaped, white flowers with mauve centres from May to August. One of the most reliable and long-flowering varieties of verbascum. Seeds sown in a cold frame in late spring or early summer produce rosettes of hairy, mid-green leaves and flowers the following year. Perfect for a sunny border.
  
  
• Garden care: Apply a 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch around the base of the plant in autumn to protect from winter extremes, taking care not to cover the crown. Stake in spring with bamboo canes or twiggy prunings before the flowers appear. Mullein moth caterpillars can be a problem, so pick off the insects in early June as soon as they appear. Remove faded flower spikes.