Verbascum phoeniceum Mixture – Elegant torch flowers in a colorful mix

Verbascum phoeniceum Mixture is a versatile and striking perennial beloved for its colorful, upright flower spikes and long bloom time. This mix includes various shades, ranging from soft pink and lilac to deep purple and bright white. The result is a playful and vibrant color scheme that enhances any garden. With their slender flower stems, rosette-shaped leaf structure, and natural appearance, these mulleins fit into both modern and traditional gardens.

Verbascum phoeniceum Mixture offers a beautiful combination of color variation, ornamental beauty, and reliability. Ideal for sunny borders, prairie plantings, and natural gardens, the plant is known for its vigorous growth and excellent attraction to bees, bumblebees, and butterflies.

Botanical characteristics

Verbascum phoeniceum, known in Dutch as purple torch, belongs to the figwort family and is native to Southern and Eastern Europe. The plant forms a compact, evergreen basal rosette from which slender, straight flower stems emerge in spring. The flowers are star-shaped and appear in various shades, depending on the specific mixture.

Key Features:

• Botanical name: Verbascum phoeniceum

• Mixture: Various colours (white, pink, lilac, purple)

• Height: 50–80 cm

• Flowering: May – July, sometimes repeat flowering

• Location: Sun to light partial shade

• Uses: Border plant, prairie garden, bee plant, cut flower

• Winter hardiness: Very good (down to approximately –20 °C)

The flowers appear in successive tiers along the stem, creating an airy, elegant shape that adds verticality to the border.

Location and care

Verbascum phoeniceum mixture is undemanding and easy to grow, even for novice gardeners. The plant loves warmth and light and thrives in dry to moderately moist, well-drained soil.

Care guidelines:

• Choose a sunny spot for the richest flowering.

• Provide a well-drained soil; Verbascum does not tolerate prolonged wetness.

• Remove spent stems to encourage reblooming.

• Fertilize lightly in spring for vigorous growth.

• Leave some flower stems for natural reseeding.

Verbascum phoeniceum is short-lived but readily self-seeds. This allows the plant to renew itself and remain in the garden for years to come.

Application in the garden

The graceful flower stems of Verbascum phoeniceum mixture add height and structure to borders without appearing bulky. The plant fits beautifully in naturalistic plantings, cottage gardens, and prairie or steppe plantings. Thanks to its rich color variation, the mix is ​​particularly decorative and combines well with both soft pastel shades and warm or deep colors.

Beautiful combinations are for example:

• Nepeta (catnip)

• Salvia nemorosa

• Achillea millefolium

• Echinacea purpurea

• Stipa and other ornamental grasses

The flowers also attract many pollinators, meaning that this mixture not only offers ornamental value but also contributes to a healthy, biodiverse garden.

Suitable as a cut flower

Although Verbascum is primarily known as a garden plant, it also makes a surprisingly beautiful cut flower. The slender stems add height and elegance to field bouquets or summer arrangements. The flowers last a reasonable amount of time in a vase when cut at the right time.

Why choose Verbascum phoeniceum mixture?

Verbascum phoeniceum Mixture offers the perfect balance of vibrant color, natural charm, and ease of use. With its long flowering period, insect-friendly characteristics, and minimal maintenance requirements, this mixture is an excellent choice for both amateur gardeners and professional designers.
The plant adds structure to borders, enriches the garden with an attractive interplay of colors, and thrives in places where many other plants struggle—especially in sunny, drier soil.