Monster Mullein

[PyreneesPlot]

I had no idea that this mullein would get so big when I left it in the Misc bed last year - those elsewhere are half the size! Now it is taking up a chunk of the space allocated for aubergines.

Oh well, they'll just have to go elsewhere.





Would you just work around it or remove it?

[veggiechicken]

I'd move it - you have the height of it to consider too.

[scarey55]

Much as I hate moving stuff I would move it too - it will shade everything else and if it seeds, you'll have a nightmare

[Kristen]

The ones here (I've always been led to believe they are indigenous around these parts) grow to 8' or more, and get quite bushy as well ...

Not sure how well it will move, as it has a significant tap root but for me it would fall under Rule Number One: "A weed is a plant in the wrong place"

[mothhawk]

It's magnificent! I'd leave it right where it is and work around it

[roitelet]

If you try to move it being the size it is you will probably kill it.

[Glutton4...]

Yup, move it, and it will almost certainly die. In my old cottage garden we'd get them self seeding from the wasteland out the back. They never survived a transplant.

[Alison]

Am I the only person to never have heard of them before? Had to Google it to find out what on earth you were all on about

[PyreneesPlot]

Well, I'm still in two minds, especially as there don't seem to be any others in the garden. I might have a good go at putting aubergines elsewhere.
I have to admit to not having thought about the shade, although when it hits the upper thirties - assuming we have a summer this year - we could go and sit beneath it.

1st of May is planting out day so I'll keep you posted on the fate of the mullein.

[Glutton4...]

Well, technically they are a weed, but I like 'em! I could never get Verbascum to grow in my garden, so I made do with these old wild versions. They're pretty enough, and, despite their size, they're no trouble.

[veggiechicken]

Is my mind playing tricks or is Mullein one of the plants that will germinate from seeds that have lain in the soil for centuries, springing to life when brought to the surface by any sort of soil disturbance............. of course I could be making this up