Verbascums- "difficult to grow"

[autumneve]

I've recently bought the most beautiful verbascum only to be told by a visitor that they're "difficult to grow". I wish I'd prodded this person for more information because I'd love to keep this verbascum but not sure what I can do to help it.

Any tips would be gratefully received.

Difficult to say, without knowing which one you bought. They are not long lived plants, many are annual or biennial, but even the perennial ones don't live very long. They need well drained alkaline soil, and full sun, can suffer from fungal disease and may be attacked by the mullein moth.
Wild mullein usually grows in poor soil, in exposed places.
I grew a beautiful silver leaved one many years ago, but it was short-lived.

Ah ok - thank you so much - that's really useful.

We've got 'Pink Petticoats' Mullien. It's quite large compared to others. Leaves are as big (or even bigger) as those on foxgloves.

I've planed it in a bed that has full sun but it's among other plants so maybe I shouldn't prevent sun getting to the leaves?

I read somewhere that I should cut all the leaves off at some stage to 'encourage basal growth' but not sure why this would be beneficial (maybe does the moth prefer older leaves? Or maybe it's to prevent the fungal growth you mentioned)

Oh wow Bob! Thank you.

Yes as ever I suppose it's the more complex varieties that are more difficult. But lucky you :)