Verbascum (Verbascum 'Banana and Custard')
Verbascum 'Banana and Custard' offers striking yellow flower spikes with low maintenance needs, thriving in dry, full-sun garden spots.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Verbascum ‘Banana and Custard’ is a visually arresting cultivar prized for its tall, erect spikes that deliver a wealth of bright, two-toned yellow flowers throughout the late spring and early summer. This plant provides essential vertical structure in the garden, standing out against perennial borders and cottage garden schemes. As an excellent choice for gardeners seeking high impact with minimal fuss, this specific Verbascum tolerates poor soils readily.
This herbaceous perennial, belonging to the diverse genus Verbascum, typically forms a substantial basal rosette of silvery-green, woolly leaves. From this base emerge the flower stems, contributing excellent textural contrast while satisfying the need for low-maintenance planting solutions. The cultivar name recognizes the creamy, banana-yellow hues displayed in its large, flat blooms.
Gardeners appreciate Verbascum ‘Banana and Custard’ for its resilience in dry conditions once established, making it perfect for xeriscaping or hot, open sites. While often functioning as a biennial, consistent deadheading or allowing some seed set ensures this lovely yellow specimen remains a staple in the landscape.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Scrophulariaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-4 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: May to July
- Bloom Description: Yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Verbascum ‘Banana and Custard’ is best achieved in spring or fall, ensuring it settles before extreme weather hits. This mullein thrives best in average, well-drained soil, performing exceptionally well even in poor or dry conditions, provided drainage is superb. Avoid heavy, wet clay, as poorly drained soils are often fatal to Verbascum species.
Once established, maintenance is commendably low. Water sparingly; Verbascum ‘Banana and Custard’ prefers dry to medium moisture levels and tolerates significant drought once established. Fertilizing is generally unnecessary, as rich soils can lead to floppier growth that requires staking.
To maximize the bloom period and encourage perennial tendencies, promptly remove spent flower spikes before they set seed. However, it is wise to leave a few spikes standing to allow natural self-seeding, ensuring the continuity of this desirable Verbascum in your garden beds. Root cuttings taken in early spring offer an alternative propagation method for securing more plants.
Landscape Uses
Verbascum ‘Banana and Custard’ excels when used as a vertical accent, bringing height and structure to formal borders or relaxed cottage gardens. Its silvery foliage contrasts beautifully with deep greens and blues found in neighboring plantings, especially those tolerant of similar dry, sunny conditions, such as certain ornamental grasses or Sedum varieties.
Due to its preference for sharp drainage and tolerance for poor soil, this Mullein is outstanding planted on dry, rocky slopes or in scree gardens where other plants might struggle. While primarily an edge or background plant, the strong vertical lines of Verbascum ‘Banana and Custard’ prevent planting schemes from looking too flat. Shorter types are noted for containers, but ensure the pot has excellent drainage for this drought-tolerant selection.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Verbascum is a genus noted for attractive flower spikes, with the name stemming from the Latin ‘barbascum,’ referencing hairy stamens. Verbascum ‘Banana and Custard’ is a hybrid mullein forming a large basal rosette of woolly, silvery-green leaves. Multiple erect stems rise to 3-4 feet tall, bearing terminal spikes of large, bright, two-toned yellow flowers nearly 2 inches across.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
Potential Problems
While prized for low maintenance, Verbascum ‘Banana and Custard’ can occasionally attract spider mites, particularly during periods of intense, hot weather. Ensure good air circulation around the plants; overcrowding can exacerbate pest issues. Taller specimens, particularly those planted in overly rich or rapidly growing soil, may become top-heavy and exhibit flopping, making staking a consideration. The most critical issue to avoid is waterlogging; always plant where drainage is quick and reliable to ensure the survival of this drought-tolerant Verbascum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Verbascum ‘Banana and Custard’ suitable for?
This herbaceous perennial is generally hardy across USDA Zones 5 through 8.
How large does Verbascum ‘Banana and Custard’ grow?
It typically reaches heights between 2 and 4 feet, with a spread ranging from 1 to 2 feet wide at the base.
What sun exposure does Verbascum ‘Banana and Custard’ need?
This plant prefers and performs best in full sun conditions, although it can tolerate light afternoon shade.
When does Verbascum ‘Banana and Custard’ bloom?
The primary bloom time for this Verbascum is from May through July, displaying vibrant yellow flowers.
Conclusion
Verbascum ‘Banana and Custard’ provides reliable, architectural presence backed by low cultural requirements, especially tolerance for dry, sunny sites. Its striking yellow flower spikes offer exceptional late spring interest, making this Mullein a valuable addition for textural contrast. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 5-8 and ensure your site offers the necessary full sun and excellent drainage this beautiful Verbascum requires.
Companion Planting
When integrating Verbascum ‘Banana and Custard’ into your border design, select companions that share its love for dry soil and full sunlight. Plants that contrast well in texture and habit will highlight the vertical drama of the Mullein spikes. Consider pairing it with structural, drought-tolerant partners like Russian Sage (Perovskia), Yarrow (Achillea), or ornamental grasses like Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca). These companions will not compete aggressively for moisture and help anchor the silvery foliage of the Verbascum.
Propagation Tips
For gardeners aiming to propagate their successful Verbascum ‘Banana and Custard’ plants, the easiest method is often allowing self-seeding. If you wish to maintain the exact cultivar characteristics, however, consider taking root cuttings in early spring before significant top growth begins. Carefully sever a clean, pencil-thick section of root, ensuring it has a small piece of growing tip attached. Plant this horizontally just below the soil surface in a tray of moist, gritty mix and keep lightly shaded until new shoots appear.
