Verbascum ‘Cotswold King’ | Cretan mullein

Description

‘Cotswold King’ has the largest flowers of any Verbascum we know. The fragrant, cheery, butter yellow flowers average around 2-inches in diameter and absolutely smother the bloom stalks from early to mid summer. These are nice compact plants – generally topping out at three feet high – making them easy to incorporate into the garden. 

This politely re-seeding biennial is very easy to grow in full sun on poor, dry, well-drained, or average soil. 

Cretan mullein is rarely encountered in gardens or garden centers. View garden images and a nice write up at Hanbury House.

syn. Verbascum creticum

Growers note: our plants germinated spring 2026 and are expected to bloom summer 2027. Plant in fall for best results.

Tip: Mullein is the foodplant of the mullein moth caterpillar, Cucullia verbasci (see last image), which causes unsightly holes in the otherwise attractive fuzzy foliage. Grow other plants around the base to hide the unsightly base. 

Zones: 5 to 9
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Type: Biennial
Height: 24 to 36 in. (occasionally to 60 in.)
Spread: 18 to 24 in.
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained
Bloom Time: June to July
Native Range: the Mediterranean