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Great Mullein is a tall, striking biennial wildflower native to the UK, featuring dramatic yellow flower spikes that bloom in its second year. Thriving in poor, dry soils and full sun, it’s ideal for brownfield sites, road embankments, and biodiversity projects seeking vertical structure and pollinator support.
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Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a striking biennial wildflower native to the UK, known for its tall, spire-like flowering stems and large, soft, silvery-green leaves. In its second year, it produces a towering stem densely packed with bright yellow flowers, adding dramatic vertical interest to wildflower meadows, grassland edges, and disturbed sites. The flowers are a magnet for bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects.
Thriving in poor, dry soils and full sun, Great Mullein is well suited to brownfield sites, road embankments, and low-fertility habitats. Its resilience and ability to thrive in harsh conditions make it a reliable option for biodiversity-focused planting.
Features & Benefits
Tall, eye-catching yellow flower spikes
Provides food and habitat for bees and insects
Thrives in dry, poor soils with full sun
Native UK biennial species ideal for restoration
Adds vertical structure and visual impact to plantings
Latin Name:
Verbascum thapsus
Flowering Time:
June – September (Second year)
Flowering Height:
100 – 200 cm
Life Cycle:
Biennial
Wildflower Seed Approximate Sowing Rate:
0.25kg per acre (0.62kg per hectare)
Sowing Times:
Spring (March – May) or Autumn (August – October)
How to Sow & Preparation
Site Selection: Choose a sunny location with dry, well-drained soil.
Ground Preparation: Remove weeds and prepare a fine tilth seedbed.
Sowing: Broadcast evenly by hand or spreader.
Firming: Press lightly into the soil to ensure good seed contact.
Aftercare: No fertiliser needed; thin seedlings if necessary in spring.
About John Chambers Wildflower Seeds
John Chambers Wildflower Seeds has been a trusted supplier of native UK wildflower seeds for over 35 years. Known for its high-quality, locally sourced seed and outstanding customer service, John Chambers provides ecological solutions for landscape contractors, local authorities, and conservationists focused on creating sustainable, biodiverse landscapes.
Latin Name | Verbascum thapsus
Flowering Time | June – September (Second Year)
Flowering Height | 100 – 200 cm
Life Cycle | Biennial
Sowing Rate | 0.25kg per acre (0.62kg per hectare)
Sowing Period | Spring (March–May) or Autumn (August–October)
Preferred Conditions | Full sun; poor, dry, well-drained soil
Pollinator Friendly | Yes, attracts bees, hoverflies, and beneficial insects
Minimum Order Quantity | 10g
Ideal For | Road verges, wildflower meadows, brownfield sites, dry, low-fertility habitats
