Verbascum (Verbascum 'Caribbean Crush')
Verbascum 'Caribbean Crush' offers dramatic spikes of orange, yellow, and mango blooms. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in full sun and dry soils.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Verbascum ‘Caribbean Crush’ is highly valued by gardeners for its spectacular, tropical-hued flower spikes that bring vertical drama to mixed plantings. This unique variety features a captivating blend of orange, yellow, and mango colors opening successively on tall stems. As a member of the Verbascum genus, it shares the characteristic of readily adapting to less-than-ideal garden conditions.
This upright, rosette-forming plant creates a substantial basal mound of fuzzy, gray-green foliage, from which vibrant flower spikes emerge in late spring through mid-summer. The overall structure of Verbascum ‘Caribbean Crush’ provides excellent architectural interest even before it begins blooming. It is truly a standout choice for adding textural contrast and color saturation to sunny borders.
Cultivating Verbascum is generally straightforward, as this variety is decidedly low-maintenance once established. Its tolerance for dry soils and poor conditions makes it a reliable performer where other, fussier perennials might struggle. Successfully integrating Verbascum ‘Caribbean Crush’ into your landscape ensures months of visual appeal with minimal input.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Scrophulariaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-4 ft
- Spread: 1.5-2 ft
- Bloom Time: May to July
- Bloom Description: Orange, yellow and mango
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Verbascum ‘Caribbean Crush’ during spring after the danger of hard frost has passed, or in early fall for establishment. This plant thrives best in full sun exposure, though it will tolerate light afternoon shade. Successful growth critically depends on excellent drainage; it performs admirably in average, dry to medium soils, including those that are poor or rocky.
Water established plants sparingly; they prefer dry conditions and suffer significantly if kept consistently wet. Fertilization is rarely necessary, as rich soils can encourage floppier growth that may require support. Taller flower spikes on Verbascum may sometimes need staking, particularly if grown in overly fertile ground.
Pruning focuses mainly on appearance and encouraging rebloom. Deadheading spent flower spikes before they set heavy seed encourages the plant to produce additional blooms, prolonging the display well into summer. While removing spent spikes stimulates perennial tendencies, it is wise to leave some spikes intact if you wish for Verbascum to self-seed and ensure its presence for succeeding seasons.
Landscape Uses
The upright habit and vibrant coloring make Verbascum ‘Caribbean Crush’ an exceptional feature for borders and classic cottage gardens, where its height functions brilliantly as a vertical accent. It draws the eye upward, contrasting beautifully with mounding perennials planted at its base. Because it tolerates poor, dry soils, it is perfect for adding flair to dry, rocky slopes or scree gardens where turf struggles.
Consider using Verbascum in drifts to maximize the impact of its tropical-toned blooms against coarser textures like ornamental grasses or silver-leaved companions. While the species is tall, this short-lived perennial also integrates well into larger container arrangements, provided the container offers ample drainage to satisfy its dislike of wet feet.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Verbascum is a genus of about 350 species originating from Europe through Western and Central Asia, traditionally grown for their attractive flower spikes, with the name relating to the “bearded” stamen filaments found in some species. The cultivar ‘Caribbean Crush’ is notable for forming an upright clump with a basal rosette of woolly, gray-green leaves, from which erect stems carry large, 5-lobed flowers showcasing a mix of burnt orange, yellow, and mango shades simultaneously. This plant offers a long bloom period extending from late spring into summer, often providing sporadic rebloom later in the season.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
Potential Problems
Verbascum ‘Caribbean Crush’ is generally adaptable but has weaknesses that keen gardeners should monitor. Susceptibility to spider mites can increase during periods of very hot, dry weather, requiring inspection of the foliage. Wet or poorly drained soils are typically fatal to these otherwise drought-tolerant plants, so amend beds accordingly before planting. Taller stems may need staking if planted where they receive excessive fertilizer or strong winds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Verbascum ‘Caribbean Crush’ suitable for?
Verbascum ‘Caribbean Crush’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 8.
How large does Verbascum grow?
This plant typically reaches a height between 2 and 4 feet, with a spread generally ranging from 1.5 to 2 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Verbascum ‘Caribbean Crush’ need?
The optimal requirement for robust flowering and health is full sun, although it can tolerate partial shade.
When does Verbascum bloom?
Expect the primary bloom period for this Verbascum to occur from May through July, showcasing appealing shades of orange, yellow, and mango.
Conclusion
Verbascum ‘Caribbean Crush’ delivers high-impact, tropical color with remarkably low maintenance demands, particularly in hot, dry garden spots. Its striking vertical form and unique coloration ensure its value in any sunny perennial border. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 5-8 and ensure your soil provides the excellent drainage Verbascum requires to flourish.
Companion Planting
When planning the garden around your Verbascum, select companions that share its love for heat and dry conditions, avoiding plants that require constant moisture. Silver-leaved plants, such as Artemisia or Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina), echo the fuzzy texture of the Verbascum foliage while enhancing its flower colors. Consider pairing it with drought-tolerant ornamental grasses like Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) or shorter, sun-loving salvias to create layers of texture and form in borders.
Propagation Tips
While Verbascum ‘Caribbean Crush’ is often treated as a short-lived perennial or biennial, propagation ensures continuity in the garden. Allowing some flower spikes to fully mature and set seed will result in natural reseeding, filling gaps in subsequent years. For more precise results, propagation can be achieved in early spring through root cuttings taken from established clumps. These cuttings should be placed in a gritty potting mix until new growth emerges.
