White flowers and violet stamens float above the leaf rosette
White-flowered moth mullein is an elegant, rather loosely growing mullein with cream-white to pure white flowers and striking violet stamens.
Verbascum blattaria f. albiflorum is the white-flowered form of moth mullein. Unlike many densely and powerfully flowering mulleins, it carries its individual flowers at loose intervals on upright, slender stems. This gives the plant a light and transparent appearance and makes it easy to use between grasses and other drought-tolerant perennials.
The pale flowers create an attractive contrast with the darker, often violet filaments and anthers. This marking is especially beautiful in small groups, along sunny bed edges and in natural plantings. The white-flowered mullein is also well suited to gravel gardens, dry perennial beds and loose wild perennial plantings.
The plants first form a strong basal leaf rosette. From this, the loose flower spikes rise in the following year. Depending on soil and nutrient supply, the growth height can vary considerably: on poor sites the plants remain more compact, while on more fertile soils they can grow much taller.
The short-lived, mostly biennial plants can self-seed reliably in suitable locations. Those who wish to maintain the stand in the garden should therefore allow some seed heads to ripen. The flowers are visited by various insects and can also be used for cutting for the vase.
The unusual German name goes back to the historical belief that the plant could repel cockroaches, moths and other vermin. Today, it is valued above all for its pale flowers, airy growth and natural garden character.
Sowing & care of white-flowered moth mullein
The fine seeds can be started indoors from March to April or sown directly outdoors from April to June. Sowing in late summer or autumn is also possible. As mulleins need light to germinate, the seeds are simply scattered onto moist seed compost or finely prepared soil and pressed down lightly. Do not cover with soil, or cover only extremely thinly. Keep the substrate evenly moist until germination, but do not make it wet.
After germination, continue to grow the young plants in a bright and rather cool position. Pre-grown plants can be planted outdoors after the last stronger frosts. A spacing of about 30 to 40 cm gives the leaf rosettes and later flower spikes enough room.
Verbascum blattaria f. albiflorum prefers a sunny to lightly partially shaded position and poor to moderately nutrient-rich, calcareous or neutral soil. Good drainage is important, as waterlogging and permanently moist soil weaken the plants. Established specimens tolerate drought well and only need additional watering during longer dry periods.
The plant is usually cultivated as a biennial: in the first year the leaf rosette forms, followed by the flower spikes in the second year. After flowering, faded stems can be cut back. For natural self-seeding, some seed heads should be left standing and allowed to ripen fully.
Other names
| Botanical name: |
Verbascum blattaria f. albiflorum |
| French names: |
Molène blattaire à fleurs blanches, Molène blattaire, Herbe aux mites, Bouillon mitier |
| Spanish names: |
Polillera de flores blancas, Polillera, Sabonera, Gordolobo |
| Italian names: |
Verbasco polline a fiori bianchi, Verbasco polline, Verbasco blattario |
| Dutch names: |
Witbloemig mottenkruid, Mottenkruid, Witbloemige motwerende toorts |
