We proudly research, grow, and write about our plants by hand. Descriptions are based on our experience as well as information gathered from reputable sources: books, periodicals, and select websites. Should you have questions beyond what is listed please email or call.

Verbascum phoeniceum 'Violetta' | purple mullein

Regular price: $8.99
Regular price
Sale price: $8.99

Shipping calculated at checkout.

Grown from seed in living soil without the use of pesticides, chemicals, or carbon fuels.

ships spring 2026

Purple mullein, despite its common name, comes in a range of hues from pure white to deep purple. Tall spires of flowers are held above a glossy green rosette of foliage. These beautiful plants are technically perennials, but they are very short-lived, rarely returning more than three years. Regardless, they seed happily around the garden and seem always to be in bloom.

'Violetta' is a reliable purple-flowering variety with shorter flower stalks than typical, making it easy to incorporate into smaller gardens.

We have found that glossy-leaved mulleins are not bothered by the mullein moth (Cicillia verbasci) as are their fuzzy-leaved cousins.

Tip: deadhead after initial flower flush is finished to encourage quick rebloom.

Zones: 6 to 9
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Type: Perennial
Height: 18 to 30 in.
Spread: 12 to 18 in.
Exposure: full sun to part shade
Soil Conditions: dry, poor, lean
Bloom Time: May to August
Bloom Color: violet
Native Range: cultivar. Species is native to Europe, northern Africa, and Asia

A14-1491

4" pot

Special Characteristics

Deer-resistant
Short-lived
Snail Resistant

image credits

Katya from Moscow, Russia, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jelitto

Ordering information

Preorders

You may place your order anytime to reserve plants for spring 2026 shipping. If you place multiple orders, we will combine plants into one box (or as many as needed) and any extra shipping charges will be refunded.

We will resume shipping plants as soon as plants are ready and temperatures are appropriate in our location and yours.

We will check in with you a week before shipping to make sure you receive your plants at a time that is convenient for you.

Shipping

Live plants ship in spring and fall only. Plants may ship dormant, depending on variety and season. Shipping costs are most reasonable when bundling like size plants.

4-inch: 1-6 plants ship for $15.00 / 7-13 plants ship for $18.00 / 14-30 plants ship for $40.00
1-gal: 1-2 plants ship for $18.00 / 3-4 plants ship for $25.00 / 5-6 plants ship for $40.00
trees & shrubs: $27.00-$40.00 each, height dependent
seeds: $6.75 or free with orders over $15.00

We regret that we cannot ship internationally or to the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, or WA.

Nursery pick up

We will email you to schedule a day and time to collect your plants when they are ready in spring. Generally, plants can be collected from the nursery Monday through Sunday from 10am-4pm in Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Plant Sizes

We most commonly use the following pot sizes for perennials:

4-inch pot: 3.5" H x 3.5" W x 3.5" D
2-quart pot: 6" H x 5.25" W x 5.25" D
1-gallon pot: 6.87" H x 8" Dia (this is a true one gallon pot, not the smaller 'trade' one gallon pot used by many nurseries)

Check out our illustrated pot size guide here.

Representative trees & shrubs are photographed in their pots and posted on each plant page.

Sustainability

Sustainability is at the heart of what we do at The Old Dairy. We grow all of our plants outdoors without the use of chemicals, fertilizers, carbon fuels, or peat.

Many of our perennials are grown in the ground and dug upon order (this is especially true for larger sizes). This practice allows us to grow stronger, healthier plants using native soil, and ultimately reduces our impact on the environment.

Our open-pollinated seeds are collected from plants in our mother beds, which have never been treated with chemicals or sprays of any kind.

Read all about our sustainable practices here.

Germination information

Sowing Instructions

Timing Options

Fall · Outdoors · We prefer to grow according to the natural rhythms of the season. We sow most of our seed in late summer or fall. They germinate in warm daytime temperatures, sleep through winter, then reemerge in spring.

Spring · Outdoors · Seed can be started outdoors when temperatures warm in spring. Wait until daytime temperatures are consistently in the mid to high 60s.

Late Winter · Indoors · Seed can be started indoors under lights 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Plants may germinate faster this way, but they will be less robust. We strongly recommend sowing outdoors according to the natural rhythms of the season

Looking for more detail?

Click here for our complete guide demystifying the process of sowing seeds outdoors.