Verbascum phoeniceum ‘Flush of White’ seeds -(Mullein, Candlewick Plant)

Description

This  lovely snowy-white flowering species of Verbascum, ‘Flush of White’ is a true perennial which can flower in the first year if sown early enough in the season. It is a favorite cottage garden plant to combine with tall hollyhocks, or with delphiniums. Try it  in the front  of a mixed border, as its flowers are slender enough to make a statement without crowding out other plants. It will withstand a considerable amount of wind without snapping its stems.
Verbascums lend architectural form to the garden. The large  leaves  lie flat on the ground, like an open fan. From this basal rosette 3-4 stems often 1 m high, of snowy flat faced white flowers arise. A group of these plants provide an arresting visual statement to the garden

Sowing advice
Indoors:
Sow 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. The plants have a long tap root, so you may wish to use root trainers or long pots.  Sow in trays, or pots of good seed rasing mix. Space 2.5cm  between the seeds. Cover the seeds lightly with seed raising mix to help keep the seed moist during germination. Shade the seeds after sowing to avoid direct sunlight. Place in a propagator or warm place to maintain a  temperature of 15-18°C . Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Once the seeds have germinated, reduce the moisture levels , allowing the growing medium to dry out slightly before watering to help promote rooting. They are usually ready for transplanting in 5-7 weeks.  Harden off and plant out when all risk of frost has passed 45cm apart in full sun.

Outdoors
Seeds can be sown directly where they are to flower in either Spring (two to four weeks before average last frost date) or in Autumn (up to two months before first autumn frost) Sow thinly and thin seedlings to an eventual spacing of 38 to 45cm.