<p>{Family: Scrophulariaceae} This plant produces tall spires of flowers that do not open from the bottom up as, for example, delphiniums or foxgloves do, but a few at a time along the length of the spike. This species has dark purple flowers, 1 ½</p><p>Plant it in well-drained soil in a sunny spot (they will take some shade). They are moderately to fully frost hardy but will not tolerate winter wet conditions. Propagate from seed in spring or late summer, or by division in winter</p><p>The name is thought to be a corruption of ‘barbascum’ which means ‘bearded’, from their wooly or shaggy leaves and hairy stamens. Some species of Verbascum were used by the Romans as tapers, after dipping the stems in tallow and setting them alight. They also had many uses in classical medicine, and poor peasants used to line their shoes with the thick leaves for warmth. The common name 'Mullein' comes from the Latin 'malandrium', 'malanders' or 'leprosy', a term applied to diseases of cattle for which the plant was used as a cure.</p>
