Verbascum x hybrida Southern Charm | Ornamental Mullein Seeds

Southern Charm is an elegant first-year flowering Verbascum with tall, airy flower spikes in a beautiful blend of soft peach, blush pink, apricot, rose, ivory and lilac shades. Each delicate flower is highlighted by a contrasting darker centre, creating a sophisticated pastel effect that is especially attractive in naturalistic gardens and floral designs.

Unlike many traditional mulleins, Southern Charm has been selected for ornamental garden performance and flowering in the first year from seed. The florets are arranged in pairs along the stems, helping extend the decorative life of each flower spike.

Plants typically flower in late spring to early summer, may slow or become semi-dormant during periods of intense summer heat, and can produce a second flush of flowers in autumn when cooler conditions return.

Plant Information

• Botanical Name: Verbascum x hybrida
• Variety: Southern Charm
• Common Name: Ornamental Mullein
• Family: Scrophulariaceae
• Flower Colour: Mix of peach, pink, apricot, rose, ivory and lilac with darker centres
• Life Cycle: Short-lived perennial or biennial; can be grown as an annual
• First-Year Flowering: Yes
• Plant Habit: Upright, basal rosette with tall flower spikes
• Plant Height: 61–76 cm
• Plant Width: 30–46 cm
• Spacing: 30–51 cm
• Position: Full sun
• Hardiness: USDA Zones 5a–8b
• Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soil
• Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline preferred
• Pinching: Not required
• Support: Usually not required; may benefit from staking in exposed or windy locations
• Best For: Perennial borders, cottage gardens, naturalistic plantings, pollinator gardens and event floristry

Days to Bloom

Allow approximately 110–130 days from sowing to the first flowers under suitable growing conditions.

Southern Charm is a first-year flowering Verbascum, so plants started early enough can bloom during the same growing season.

Professional production timing is approximately:

• Plug crop time: 4–5 weeks
• Transplant to flowering: 12–13 weeks
• From sowing to bloom: Approximately 110–130 days

Actual flowering time can vary with sowing date, temperature, light levels and growing conditions.

Beautiful Pastel Flower Spikes

Southern Charm is particularly valued for its unusual combination of soft, warm pastel colours. Individual plants can produce flowers in shades of peach, apricot, blush pink, rose, creamy ivory and soft lilac.

Each flower has a contrasting darker eye, giving the otherwise delicate flowers additional depth.

Because Southern Charm is grown as a colour mixture, individual plants will naturally vary in colour. This variation is part of the character of the variety.

How to Grow Verbascum Southern Charm from Seed

Sow the seeds in a fine, moist, well-drained seed-starting substrate.

Verbascum seeds are very small. Surface sow or cover only very lightly, as light assists germination.

Keep the substrate evenly moist during germination but never waterlogged.

After germination, provide seedlings with plenty of light and good air circulation.

Allow approximately 4–5 weeks for plug production before transplanting into larger cells, pots or the garden.

For first-year flowering, start the plants sufficiently early in the season.

Planting & Growing

Plant Southern Charm in full sun, ideally where plants receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Space plants approximately 30–51 cm apart to provide sufficient room for the basal rosettes and good air circulation.

Verbascum prefers well-drained soil and performs particularly well in sandy or loamy soils. It can tolerate relatively poor soils once established but dislikes heavy, constantly wet ground.

Excellent drainage is particularly important during winter.

Once established, Southern Charm has good drought tolerance, making it useful for sunny and relatively dry garden areas.

Flowering Through the Season

Southern Charm typically produces its main flowering display in spring and early summer.

During periods of intense summer heat, plants may slow their growth or temporarily become dormant. As temperatures become cooler, they can begin growing actively again and produce a second flush of flowers in late summer or autumn.

Removing finished flower spikes can help encourage additional flowering.

Growing as a Perennial

Southern Charm is a short-lived perennial or biennial rather than a traditional long-lived perennial.

It is hardy approximately in USDA Zones 5–8, provided the soil drains well.

In colder or excessively wet winter conditions, it can also be treated as an annual. Because it is capable of flowering in its first year, it remains valuable even when grown for a single season.

For Cut Flowers & Floristry

The tall, airy flower spikes provide beautiful vertical movement and a soft, romantic character in floral arrangements.

Harvest stems when approximately 50–70% of the flowers on the spike are open. Cut during the cool morning hours when plants are well hydrated and place the stems immediately into clean water.

Verbascum does not have a particularly long vase life, and individual flowers can drop relatively quickly. For this reason, Southern Charm is best suited to event floristry, weddings and arrangements intended to be enjoyed over a shorter period, rather than where exceptionally long vase life is required.

Pollinator-Friendly Garden Plant

The numerous flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, making Southern Charm a beautiful addition to pollinator-friendly gardens and naturalistic plantings.

Its upright flower spikes also provide useful height and structure without creating a heavy visual effect.

Why Grow Verbascum Southern Charm?

First-year flowering • Beautiful pastel colour mix • Tall, elegant flower spikes • Peach, pink, apricot, ivory and lilac shades • Dark contrasting flower centres • Drought tolerant once established • Attractive to pollinators • Can rebloom in autumn • Excellent for cottage and naturalistic gardens

Southern Charm is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for something more unusual than traditional garden perennials. Its combination of airy vertical flower spikes and sophisticated pastel colouring makes it equally attractive in the garden and in seasonal floral work.