What hardiness zones is Verbascum × 'Plum Smokey' suitable for?

Verbascum × 'Plum Smokey' is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Verbascum × 'Plum Smokey'?

Verbascum × 'Plum Smokey' requires Full Sun.

How much water does Verbascum × 'Plum Smokey' need?

Verbascum × 'Plum Smokey' has Low water needs.

Verbascum × 'Plum Smokey' (Plum Smokey Mullein)

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Perennials

Verbascum 'Plum Smokey'

Plum Smokey Mullein

Scrophulariaceae Garden hybrid

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitUpright

FoliageSemi-evergreen

Height24-36 inches (60-90 cm)

Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8

Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Verbascum × 'Plum Smokey' is a hybrid mullein with a smoky plum-purple flower colour, growing 24–36 inches (60–90 cm) tall and 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) wide. Smoky plum-purple to dusty mauve flowers in slender spikes appear from June through July — a colour that breaks from the yellow, white, and apricot tones typical of the genus. The 'Smokey' in the name describes the muted, hazy quality of the plum colour — not a vivid purple but a dusted, atmospheric tone reminiscent of wood smoke or aged velvet. This muted quality pairs well with silver, gray, and other subdued companions in moody garden schemes. Gray-green textured basal rosette. May be short-lived — allowing self-sowing supports persistence. Well-drained, lean soil in full sun. Deer avoid the textured foliage.

Native Range

Verbascum × 'Plum Smokey' is a garden hybrid.

Suggested Uses

Used in moody, atmospheric border schemes. The smoky plum colour pairs with silver and gray companions. Cottage gardens and gravel gardens. Container culture (5 gallons / 19 liters).

How to Identify

Identified by smoky plum-purple to dusty mauve flowers in slender spikes — a colour rarely found in mullein. The muted, smoky quality of the plum tone separates this from any other common mullein. Gray-green basal rosette.