Verbascum 'Southern Charm Mix'

Southern Charm Mix (Verbascum × hybrida)

Soft hues drift on elegant spires—Verbascum × hybrida ‘Southern Charm’ unveils pastel-infused blossoms in shades of creamy buff, apricot, blush pink, and lavender. Each delicate floret carries a fuzzy purple centre, giving the appearance of a gentle, velvety “bee” nestled within. The upward-reaching stems rise from silvery-green rosettes of foliage, creating a refined vertical accent in mixed borders and cutting gardens.

A floral storyteller in every color shift, ‘Southern Charm’ offers a quiet chromatic melody through the season. Its paired-floret structure extends each spike’s life, and with the right encouragement, the bloom return can stretch into autumn. In arrangements, it lends soft drama—pair with zinnia creams for a sunlit harmony or place near snapdragons in dusty rose to accent its pastel heart. Among your selection, it’s one of the gentler, romantic voices.

DETAILS:

QTY: 20

TYPE: Short Lived Perennial (Zones 5a-8b)

SITE: Full Sun

DEPTH: Barely Cover

GERMINATION: 5-14 days at 21°C

HEIGHT: 24" - 30”

MATURITY: 110 - 120 Days

SPACING: 12”

PINCH: No

HOW TO GROW:
Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. It can also be sown in early fall. This variety may  bloom the first year when started early. Choose a location with full sun (at least 6 hours daily). Due to its long taproot, plant it where it will not need to be moved later. Space plants 18-24 inches apart. Taller forms (2-3 feet) may benefit from staking in exposed areas.

Soil & Fertilizing:

• Soil Preference: The most critical requirement is excellent drainage. Verbascum prefers poor, lean, sandy, or gravelly soils. It tolerates a wide pH range but prefers neutral to slightly alkaline.

• Fertilizing: Avoid rich, highly fertile, or wet soils, as these can lead to weak, leggy growth, potentially requiring staking, and may encourage root rot. Fertilizer is generally not needed; if used, apply a low-rate, slow-release balanced fertilizer.

Watering & Pests:

• Watering: Mullein is drought-tolerant once established. Water only moderately, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering or poor drainage is the most common cause of plant failure (root rot).

• Pests & Diseases: Generally pest-resistant. Watch for caterpillars (especially mullein moth) and powdery mildew (ensure good air circulation). Deer and rabbits tend to avoid this plant.
  

Harvest:

• Harvest Mullein flower spikes in the morning when 50% to 70% of the individual flowers are open. Immediately place the stems in clean water. Be aware that the flowers have a short vase life (a couple of days) and may shatter easily.

Maintenance & Tips:

• Pinching/Deadheading: Deadhead (remove spent flower spikes) down to the basal foliage (the rosette of leaves at the base) to promote a second flush of blooms and extend the flowering period.

• Self-Seeding: Leave some flower stalks to dry and drop seeds if you wish to encourage self-seeding and ensure the plant remains in the garden, as it is a short-lived perennial.

• Winter Care: The basal rosette of leaves is evergreen in mild winters. Cut back the entire flower stalk after the growing season has ended or after a hard frost.