What are those tall yellow flowers by the roadside? Learn to identify common mullein, and delve into why some gardeners don't want it in their yards.
Common Mullein Plant Identification
“This plant grew in a pot behind my shed. It’s quite large, and the leaves remind me of lamb’s ear. What is it?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Martha Giguere of Corunna, Michigan.
Gardening expert Melinda Myers says, “Some gardeners consider your plant, common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) a weed; others think that it’s a desirable flower. Originally brought here by colonists for its herbal properties, it has now spread throughout the United States and southern Canada. It’s grown in disturbed sites, gardens, neglected areas and fields.
The first year, mullein produces a rosette of fuzzy leaves like those that appeared in your flowerpot. The second year, a tall flower stem emerges from the base, producing a spike of yellow blossoms. The parent plant then dies, and the biennial cycle begins again with new seedlings the following year.
Get tips from Melinda to keep weeds out of your garden.
What Gardeners Need to Know About Common Mullein
Noticing a second-year common mullein (also known as great or wooly mullein) won’t take much effort: the stalks of yellow flowers can reach higher than 5 feet. The flowers bring in a number of pollinators and other insects, including bees, wasps, and butterflies. Flowers open before dawn and close in the afternoon. While this plant grows in disturbed sites, its seeds generally require open ground to germinate and can be managed in yards.
Not sure whether you’re looking at a weed or a flower? Learn to identify common backyard weeds.
Some might prefer to keep this plant around. Others might opt to get rid of it using natural methods, depending on its aggressiveness in a given setting.
To get rid of common mullein, focus on pulling the plants before they produce seed. Gardeners and homeowners can hand-pull this plant when the soil is damp or moist — this must be accomplished before the plants start to flower. Seeds remain viable for many years.
With that said, hand-pulling is generally considered an effective method of managing this plant. Because of its two-year life cycle, with continued effort and care not to accidentally spread seeds, gardeners can eradicate it from a space.
About the Expert
Melinda Myers is the official gardening expert for Birds & Blooms. She is a TV/radio host, author and columnist who has written more than 20 gardening books. Melinda earned a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Sources
- Wisconsin Horticulture – Division of Extension, “Common mullein, Verbascum thapsus“
- Montana Field Guides, “Common Mullein – Verbascum thapsus“
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden, “Weed of the Month: Mullein“
