Nettle-leaved mullein (Verbascum chaixii 'Sixteen Candles')
Verbascum chaixii 'Sixteen Candles', the Nettle-leaved mullein, offers bright yellow flowers with violet stamens, thriving in full sun and dry soils.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Verbascum chaixii ‘Sixteen Candles’ is a highly valued addition to dry, sunny gardens, providing vertical interest without demanding rich soil. This cultivar of the Nettle-leaved mullein produces striking spires of bright yellow blossoms contrasted beautifully by distinctive violet stamens. It is celebrated for its resilience and low upkeep, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking dependable performance in challenging sites.
As a somewhat short-lived perennial, the Nettle-leaved mullein focuses its energy on producing reliable blooms from late spring through mid-summer. It forms a substantial basal rosette of textured, grayish-green leaves close to the ground, from which the flower stalks elegantly ascend. This plant offers significant structural appeal, perfect for softening the edges of borders while tolerating neglect.
The appeal of Verbascum chaixii ‘Sixteen Candles’ lies in its ability to combine ornamental beauty with significant drought tolerance. It thrives where many other perennials struggle, establishing well on dry slopes and rocky ground. Consider incorporating this Mullein for dependable texture and warm color in any low-maintenance landscape design.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Scrophulariaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to July
- Bloom Description: Yellow with violet stamens
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Verbascum chaixii ‘Sixteen Candles’ is extraordinarily easy to establish, preferring full sun exposure for the best performance. Plant this Nettle-leaved mullein in average soil that is dry to medium in moisture level, ensuring that drainage is excellent. Poorly drained or overly wet soils are generally fatal to this species, so avoid heavy clay areas unless significant soil amendment is performed.
Maintenance for Verbascum chaixii ‘Sixteen Candles’ is commendably low once established. It thrives on neglect and does not generally require supplemental watering unless drought conditions are severe. Avoid overly fertile soils, as rich conditions can lead to taller, floppier growth that may require staking for support.
To maximize flowering, deadhead spent flower spikes early in the season to encourage successive blooming. However, leave some spikes standing at the end of the growing season. Allowing some seed to set ensures that this plant self-seeds gently, perpetuating its presence in your cottage garden setting without becoming invasive. Propagation can also be achieved via root cuttings taken in late winter or early spring.
Landscape Uses
The architectural quality of Verbascum chaixii ‘Sixteen Candles’ makes it an excellent vertical accent plant in almost any sunny garden scheme. Given its preference for dry conditions, it integrates seamlessly into naturalized settings or specialized rock gardens where drainage is sharp. It performs wonderfully when used near the middle or back of perennial borders, adding height contrast to lower, mounding plants.
This Mullein is highly recommended for borders and cottage gardens, lending an informal, established charm. Its tough nature means it looks fantastic alongside rugged companions such as Sedum, Russian Sage (Perovskia), or ornamental grasses that share similar low-water needs. Planting Verbascum chaixii ‘Sixteen Candles’ on dry, rocky slopes is ideal, leveraging its natural adaptation to poor soils and sharp site conditions.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Verbascum chaixii is a narrow-leaved mullein species that is sometimes commonly called nettle-leaved mullein. It is a somewhat short-lived perennial which forms a large basal rosette (8-12” wide) of woolly, coarsely toothed, dull grayish-green, ovate-oblong leaves (3-6” long) from which rise spire-like, unbranched stems (2-3” tall) with terminal racemes of 5 lobed, nearly flat, yellow flowers (1 inch diameter) with purplish stamens. Blooms in late spring to early summer.The genus name Verbascum comes from the Latin word barbascum which means “bearded”, in reference to the hairy stamen filaments of some species.‘Sixteen Candles’ is a seed cultivar of the species that features bright yellow flowers with violet stamens.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Shallow-Rocky Soil
Potential Problems
This plant generally remains free from serious insect or disease issues, which adds to its low-maintenance appeal. The primary susceptibility noted is to spider mites, particularly during prolonged hot, dry weather, which can be managed with regular inspection and sometimes a strong spray of water. Be cautious when amending planting areas; plants grown in rich, fertile soils tend to become overgrown and may benefit from temporary staking support. Conversely, the fastest way to lose this perennial is by planting it in locations where water collects; wet, poorly drained locations are usually fatal conditions for Nettle-leaved mullein.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Nettle-leaved mullein suitable for?
Verbascum chaixii ‘Sixteen Candles’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 8.
How large does Verbascum chaixii ‘Sixteen Candles’ grow?
This Mullein typically reaches a height of 2 to 3 feet, spreading about 1 to 1.5 feet wide, forming an attractive vertical spike.
When does Verbascum chaixii ‘Sixteen Candles’ bloom?
The bloom time for this cultivar is generally from May to July, showcasing vibrant yellow flowers accented by violet stamens.
What sun exposure does Nettle-leaved mullein need?
For optimal health and flowering, Verbascum chaixii ‘Sixteen Candles’ requires full sun exposure throughout the day.
Conclusion
The striking form and effortless resilience of Verbascum chaixii ‘Sixteen Candles’ make it indispensable for dry, sunny perennial beds. Its ability to thrive in poor soils, combined with its attractive yellow and violet floral display, ensures it earns its spot. Before planting, confirm your garden location provides full sun and excellent drainage to fully realize the potential of this exceptional Nettle-leaved mullein.
Propagation Tips
Because Verbascum chaixii ‘Sixteen Candles’ is a somewhat short-lived perennial, understanding its propagation methods is key to ensuring its long-term presence in your garden beds. Allowing some seed heads to mature and drop naturally is the easiest way to establish new plants, as they readily self-seed in appropriate locations.
For intentional propagation, root cuttings provide a reliable method for increasing stock or replacing older plants. Take these cuttings in late winter or early spring, before significant new top growth appears. Ensure the cuttings are placed in well-draining soil under moderate conditions until they establish their basal rosettes.
Companion Planting
When designing an area for Verbascum chaixii ‘Sixteen Candles’, choose companions that appreciate similar dry, lean soil conditions and high light levels. Pairing these upright spikes with low-growing, heat-tolerant groundcovers helps suppress weeds while providing textural contrast at the base. Excellent companions include silver-leaved plants like Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) or ornamental thymes, which echo the soft gray-green of the mullein foliage.
Consider plants that bloom slightly earlier or later than the Nettle-leaved mullein to ensure continuous season-long interest. Lavender, certain varieties of Salvia, and Gaura all share the love of full sun and dry feet that Verbascum chaixii ‘Sixteen Candles’ requires to flourish. Avoid thirsty companions, as excessive competition for moisture can compromise the health of this drought-tolerant perennial.
