Verbascum (Cotswold Group) 'Cotswold Queen'
ABOUT
The 'Cotswold Queen' from the Cotswold Group is a striking plant, best known for its bold flower spikes that offer an appealing contrast in the garden. The flowers themselves are a brilliant demonstration of nature's palette, usually displaying a rich yellow hue with an attractive reddish-purple eye at the center — a feature that often captures the attention of onlookers and pollinators alike. These blooms artfully arrange themselves in a dense, vertical fashion along the spike, emerging upwards as if reaching for the sky. Below the conspicuous flowers, the foliage forms an attractive backdrop. The leaves are soft, often covered with a fine, hair-like fuzz that gives them a velvety texture when touched. Their color, a silvery-green, forms a subtle and serene foundation that further accentuates the vibrant flowers. The leaves are generally large and can be somewhat oval or slightly elongated in shape, with edges that may appear to be gently waved or scalloped. Overall, the combination of the stately flower spikes with their showy yellow and purple-tinged blooms above the tranquil sea of silvery-green foliage renders the 'Cotswold Queen' an outstanding specimen in gardens, noted for its majestic appearance and the allure it adds to any planting scheme.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Scrophulariaceae
Synonyms
Mullein, Aaron's Rod, Woolly Mullein
Common names
Verbascum (Cotswold Group) 'Cotswold Queen'
ToxicityTo humans
The common name for Verbascum (Cotswold Group) 'Cotswold Queen' is mullein. Mullein is not generally considered toxic to humans. There are no widely recognized symptoms of poisoning because it's typically not harmful if ingested in small quantities. However, it is always possible for individuals to have unique allergic reactions or sensitivities to any plant, so caution should be exercised.
To pets
Mullein is not commonly known to be toxic to pets. If ingested, it is not likely to cause poisoning in animals. As with humans, some pets may have an individual allergic reaction or sensitivity, but this is not typical. There are no specific symptoms of poisoning associated with mullein, as it is generally considered safe for pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Biennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
6 feet (1.8 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Verbascum 'Cotswold Queen' can attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to the garden, aiding in pollination.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can survive with minimal water, making it suitable for xeriscaping and drought-prone areas.
- Low Maintenance: It does not require frequent watering or fertilizing, making it easy to care for.
- Visual Appeal: With its tall, stately spires and large, colorful flowers, it provides vertical interest and a splash of color to garden beds or borders.
- Deer Resistant: The plant is generally avoided by deer, protecting it from browsing and damage in areas where deer are a problem.
- Long Blooming: It has a long flowering period which can last throughout the summer, offering prolonged decorative appeal.
- Suitable for Cut Flowers: The blooms make for striking cut flowers that can add beauty to bouquets and arrangements.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a natural dye, Mullein can be used to impart a yellow or green hue to fabrics when used with the appropriate mordants.
- In photography, the tiny hairs on Mullein leaves can be used in the creation of photograms by placing them on light-sensitive paper and exposing them to light.
- Mullein flowers have been used historically to make a bright yellow hair rinse, believed by some to enhance blonde highlights.
- The stalks of Mullein can be dipped in wax or tallow to make traditional torches or candles, which were used before the advent of modern lighting.
- The dried leaves and stems can serve as filling for hypoallergenic pillows and mattresses due to their soft and fluffy nature.
- Mullein flowers can be infused into oils to make natural wood polishes that also impart a protective layer on wooden furniture.
- The velvety leaves of Mullein are sometimes employed in crafts for creating textured patterns in paper making or in botanical prints.
- Mullein has been used in the making of ceremonial smoking blends by various indigenous cultures, not for its psychoactive effects but for its mild and pleasant scent when burned.
- The large Mullein leaves can be used as a natural, biodegradable wrapping material for preserving and storing food items by keeping insects at bay.
- Folk toys and dolls were historically stuffed with Mullein leaves and flowers as they were readily available and soft to the touch.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Mullein is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Mullein is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: Mullein is often associated with its healing properties, both in traditional herbal medicine and in its symbolism, as it has been used to treat various ailments.
- Protection: The plant has been thought to ward off evil and negative influences, symbolizing protective qualities.
- Courage: 'Cotswold Queen', with its bold, towering form and bright flowers, can be seen as a symbol of courage and standing tall in the face of adversity.
- Love: While not as common, some may interpret the comforting aspects of mullein as representative of love and affection.
WaterMullein 'Cotswold Queen' should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Depending on the weather conditions, this might be approximately once a week. Ensure that it receives at least 1 gallon of water at each watering to adequately saturate the root zone. During the active growing season in spring and summer, consistent watering is important, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent waterlogging.
LightMullein 'Cotswold Queen' thrives in full sun conditions, where it can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. The best spot for this plant would be an unobstructed south-facing garden bed or a location where it gets plenty of daylight. Partial shade is tolerated, but flowering and growth might be less vigorous.
TemperatureMullein 'Cotswold Queen' is quite cold hardy and can withstand temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, though it prefers the warmer climate. Its ideal growing temperature is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and it can survive up to about 85 degrees Fahrenheit without stress.
PruningMullein 'Cotswold Queen' should be pruned to remove spent flower stalks and encourage a second bloom. Pruning is also necessary to maintain its shape and prevent self-seeding, if not desired. The best time for pruning is immediately after the first flush of flowers fade, typically in mid-summer.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Common Mullein 'Cotswold Queen' thrives in well-draining soil with added organic matter, consisting of two parts loam, one part sand/grit, and one part compost. The best soil pH for this plant is slightly alkaline, ranging between 6.5 and 7.5.
RepottingThe Common Mullein 'Cotswold Queen' does not typically require frequent repotting as it is often treated as a biennial. It can be repotted every couple of years or when it becomes root-bound.
Humidity & MistingThe Common Mullein 'Cotswold Queen' prefers a low to moderate humidity level, typical of what it would experience in its natural outdoor environment.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure full sun, well-drained soil, and occasional watering.
Outdoor
Requires full sun, well-drained soil, and is drought-tolerant.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleCommonly known as Mullein, 'Cotswold Queen' begins its life as a seed, which requires well-drained soil and some light to germinate, typically in spring. Once germinated, seedlings establish a rosette of fuzzy, oblong leaves in their first year. In its second year, the biennial plant sends up a tall flowering stalk, which can grow several feet high and is adorned with clusters of yellow flowers with a purple centre. These flowers usually bloom in the summer and are attractive to various pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. After flowering and pollination, the plant sets seed, which disperses to create new plants, completing its life cycle. 'Cotswold Queen' Mullein, being a biennial, typically dies after seed production, but it leaves behind offspring that will continue the cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Summer
The most popular method of propagating Verbascum 'Cotswold Queen', commonly known as Mullein, is by sowing seeds. The optimal time for sowing Mullein seeds is in late winter or early spring, shortly before the last expected frost. To propagate, you should start the seeds indoors by scattering them on the surface of a well-draining seed starting mix, as they need light to germinate. Gently press the seeds into the mix but do not cover them with soil. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged and place the container in a location with bright, indirect light. Germination usually occurs within two to three weeks at temperatures between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 21 degrees Celsius). Once the seedlings have grown large enough to handle and the danger of frost has passed, they can be transplanted outdoors to their final growing location, ensuring they are spaced adequately to accommodate their mature size.
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