Verbascum 'Banana Custard'

Verbascum x hybrida 'Banana Custard', also known as Mullein, is a biennial flowering plant. Its tall spikes composed of numerous small yellow flowers ranging from cream to banana, bloom from June to August attracting butterflies and other pollinators. Its silvery and velvety foliage perfectly complements the hues of its flowers, illuminating dark spaces. Essential in herbaceous borders, it allows you to create rather spectacular bouquets.

Most Verbascums share this tall and graceful appearance. Some are even nicknamed "Our Lady's Candle" in honor of the Virgin Mary. They have a base composed of a rosette of large elliptical leaves, about 30cm (12in) long, grey-green in colour, and velvety for the 'Banana Custard' variety. From this base emerge stems that can reach up to 180cm (71in) in height. They end in a long spike, covered in small 4cm (2in) flowers with a five-petalled corolla and five yellow stamens in the centre, which do not all bloom at the same time, creating layers. This height sometimes requires staking if the mulleins are exposed to wind. It is a summer plant that appreciates well-drained soil and does not tolerate excess moisture in winter. On the other hand, it withstands drought well and therefore prefers sunny locations, accepts rocky and poor soils, while tolerating partial shade. For a possible flowering in early autumn, you can cut back the stems with faded spikes. Like biennials, let it self-seed in late summer, you may find it again the following year.

The 'Banana Custard' Mullein naturally blends in with other summer plants with silvery foliage: Eryngium, shrubby Euphorbia, and Statice. You can also let it brighten up a slope or a rather dry fallow land that you have abandoned. It will bring all its light to it.