Verbascum olympicum

f. album

WHITE OLYMPIC MULLEIN

Verbascum olympicum f. album
WHITE OLYMPIC MULLEIN

Verbascum  olympicum f. album puts up a dramatic show in summer.
With towering candelabras of white, dense packed flowers.
Soaring above handsome rosettes grey-white, looking as if they have been cut from soft silken felt.

Furry foliage to stroke on a majestic plant

So it is altogether a majestic and impressive plant, both in flower and foliage.
And you feel you just have to stroke it’s lovely texture each time you pass.

Aristocratic candelabras in summer

White Olympic Verbascum begins to bloom in spring and continues in stately fashion through summer.
Thus adding architecture and lofty height to the garden display.
However the towering spires are also good as cut flowers in floral art.

The most desired of the family

Verbascum  olympicum is the original wild species bearing yellow flowers, and is highly valued.
However Verbascum olympicum f. album is the even more desirable and aristocratic white flowered form. It is irresistibly beautiful.

Drought resistant & water-wise

Verbascum olympicum f. album is very hardy and easy to grow.
Because it is a native of southern Greece and Turkey and can still be seen growing wild at the ancient site of Olympia.
The very first Olympic Games were believed to have been held in Olympia in 776BC, no doubt in the presence of our beautiful Olympic Verbascum plants back then too.
Hence they revel in the sun and hot positions.
Where they are drought resistant, sturdy against wind, and can manage on a minimum of water.

Revels in heat & poor soil

Verbascum olympicum f. album also tolerates a wide range of soils.
Including sandy soils, those with a concentration of lime, as well as rocky and stony soils.
So do not over-fertilize, because hardy White Olympic Verbascum flowers best and thrives without being over-fed or over-watered.

Ideal for arid or seaside gardens

So it is ideal for gardeners in arid areas or planting by the sea.
Plus the flower towers are resistant in windy and exposed sites because they have such strong, stout stems.
But do not feel you must have an arid garden to grow White Olympic Verbascum successfully.
Because this plant is so handsome that it deserves to feature in the most elite of flower gardens – just don’t over-feed and don’t over-water it.

Rabbit & deer resistant

Happily for gardeners, rabbits and deer put the flavour of Verbascum plants very low on their menu sheet.

While bees, butterflies & birds love it

Bees, butterflies and other helpful pollinating insects love foraging amongst the hairy stamens for pollen and nectar. While seed eating Birds will gleefully feast on any seed pods you leave uncut.

Frost resistant 

Verbascum olympicum f. album is a dry, heat & frost hardy perennial clump.

Repeat blooming

White Olympic Verbascum rewards deadheading with even more repeats of towering candelabras.
So it is an advantage to harvest the stems for floral arrangements.

It will also self-sow if you leave the towers of flowers to go to seed. So you always have a new generation coming along.
As although it is a perennial plant, it flowers so profusely that individual plants are usually exhausted after a few years and you need replacements.

1.8-2m High candelabra towers of white flowers x 90cm Wide and low, silver felt foliage clump.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Suits beginners & gardening with kids

Sow all year in punnets indoors / or scatter in the garden in spring or autumn.

Indoors: First sow the seed in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Now gently pat to ensure good contact with the surface.

And barely cover the seed with sieved mix / fine vermiculite / or fine sandy grit.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten by standing the punnet in a shallow water bath and allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface from below. Then drain.

And place the punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sun).

Temperatures of 18-22C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a heat mat if you have one to maintain temperature, but it is not essential.
Because these seeds are willing germinators.  

Then continue to keep moist by misting the surface from a spray water-bottle, as required.
But do not allow the surface to dry out.
However covering the punnet with a clear plastic lid or a plastic bag will greatly help maintain moisture and prevent drying out. And remove the cover as soon as seeds begin to sprout.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 7-21 days.

Seed Count: 150 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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