Twiggy Mullein (Verbascum virgatum) – Tall, Graceful Spikes of Sunshine for Pollinators (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free; Super Plugs)

Elegant, airy, and dazzling in the sunlight, Twiggy Mullein (Verbascum virgatum) brings vertical charm to wildlife gardens, meadows, and dry sunny borders. This statuesque perennial (often biennial in the wild) produces tall, slender spires lined with soft yellow flowers and purple-tipped stamens – a beacon for bees and hoverflies all summer long.

Native to parts of southern England and naturalised elsewhere, Twiggy Mullein thrives in full sun and poor, well-drained soil – the kind of conditions where other plants might sulk. It’s perfect for adding height and movement to wildflower mixes or standing alone as a delicate architectural accent. Despite its elegance, it’s tough as old boots once established.

Where it thrives
Light: Full sun
Soil: Light, well-drained, poor to moderately fertile
Setting: Wildflower meadow, dry border, gravel garden, sunny bank
Height: 1-1.5 m
Flowering: June to September

Planting & care

• Plant in full sun and avoid overfeeding; poor soil encourages the strongest stems.

• Remove spent flower spikes to encourage fresh blooms or leave them for goldfinches to feed on seeds.

Wildlife value
An absolute favourite of long-tongued bees and hoverflies. The seedheads provide late-season food for finches, and the dried stems offer shelter for overwintering insects.

Joel says…
“I always think Twiggy Mullein is a bit of a show-off – but in the best possible way. Tall, sunlit, and covered in bees – it’s proof that wildlife planting can look as glamorous as any border.”