Meadows & Prairies Perennials Garden Clinic

Can This Verbascum Be Saved?

2 years ago

I tried my hand at Verbascum for the first time this year. I planted it along a fenceline, and it gets maybe six hours of sun and then spends the afternoon in the shade. It is in a thick mulch layer, and I tried to get the roots mostly planted in real soil, but I have no doubt that there is some root growth in the composted wood mulch layer.

The plant did very well for about two months, and suspiciously after I put in automatic drip line irrigation, it started to go downhill. The area does not feel overwatered, but does this genus prefer to dry out?

Can this plant still be salvaged?

Featured Answer

rusty_blackhaw

2 years ago

What is the moisture situation at root level? Surface appearances can be deceiving.

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Comments (6)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
What sort of Verbascum?

Anyhow, the various species are either biennial or short lived perennials. And all prefer sunny, dry conditions. Moisture retaining mulch and irrigation are the exact opposite of their preferred conditions.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
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westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
Original Author
2 years ago
@floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK This is Verbascum "Southern Charm"

https://www.gardenia.net/plant/verbascum-southern-charm-mullein

So let it totally dry out between waterings?
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
Original Author
2 years ago
@rusty_blackhaw I think the soil is remaining moist all the time.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
" I think the soil is remaining moist all the time."

Well, I think you've answered your own question. "Prefers full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions including poor, dry soils, but must have good drainage. " https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=255637&isprofile=0&letter=v

Move the irrigation away. Pull back the mulch.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
rusty_blackhaw
2 years ago
Again, the only way to be sure if there's adequate or excessive moisture is to check conditions _at root level)_. Get your fingers dirty.
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked rusty_blackhaw