Mullein

(Verbascum densiflorum) Mullein is well adapted to cottage, gravel, and rock gardens. In its function as a pioneer plant, it loves to protect and cover disturbed soil. The first year, this biennial will create a short basal rosette of thick, soft, pale-green leaves that are sometimes called “cowboy toilet paper” or “flannel leaf”. The second year it will send up a tall stalk of abundant dense flowers unique to this V. densiflorum variety of mullein. The first-year leaves have been traditionally used dried as an infusion for lung issues, and the second-year flowers for ear aches.