Verbascum Polar Summer

Verbascum ‘Polar Summer’, commonly known as Polar Summer Mullein, is a striking herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial that produces tall, upright spikes of soft creamy white to pale yellow flowers with subtle contrasting centres. The blooms rise above rosettes of large, woolly, silvery-grey to green leaves, creating a bold architectural form and a bright, luminous presence in the garden. Blooming in summer, this plant adds height, texture, and elegant vertical interest to borders, cottage gardens, gravel gardens, or sunny perennial beds.

Thrives in well-drained soil with dry to medium moisture. Avoid planting in heavy, wet, or waterlogged conditions. Requires minimal maintenance once established and shows excellent heat and drought tolerance. Deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage a tidier appearance, or leave some seed heads if naturalizing is desired. Pairs well with lavender, salvia, nepeta, echinacea, ornamental grasses, and silver-leaved perennials for a soft, drought-tolerant garden display. Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Generally avoided by deer and rabbits. Excellent for sunny borders, cottage-style landscapes, gravel gardens, Mediterranean-style plantings, dry gardens, or dramatic vertical accents. Verbascum ‘Polar Summer’ is a refined and easy-care plant that thrives in sunny gardens, adding pale flower spikes and handsome woolly foliage with strong architectural appeal. Its drought tolerance, upright habit, and pollinator-friendly blooms make it a valuable choice for low-maintenance, naturalistic, and dry garden plantings.

Sun Requirements:

Full Sun. Performs best in full sun, where it develops strong stems, dense flower spikes, and the most abundant flowering.

Maximum Growth Height:

48–72 inches (120–180 cm), with a spread of about 18–24 inches (45–60 cm).

Bloom Month:

June to August. Blooms through summer, producing tall spikes of creamy white to pale yellow flowers that provide elegant seasonal colour and attract beneficial pollinators.