Practical
Plants

Verbascum blattaria

Moth Mullein

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial, perennial
Height
1 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects, Self

Uses

Material uses

The plant repels insects, it is used indoors to repel moths and cockroaches[1].

Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from the Netherlands south and east to N. Africa, west and central Asia.
Habitat
Waste places in damp ground. Rather rare and not persisting, it is possibly an introduced species[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow late spring to early summer in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[4]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in late summer. The seed has a long viability[4].

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most well-drained soils, including dry ones, and prefers a sunny position[3][4]. Dislikes shade[4]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[3]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus, though the progeny are usually sterile[4].

References

  1. RHS. The Garden. Volume 113. Royal Horticultural Society 1988-00-00

    ↩

  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  3. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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