Olympic Mullein

As with all things “olympic,” referring to stature and status, this triumphant mullein species evokes its grand origins with striking form. You will note its regality in its second year, when its fully-fledged personality bursts out as a magnificent tower of bright yellow, deer resistant flowers. Prominent but not dominating, it is a gregarious self-seeder that plays nice with others; it won’t outcompete its neighbors, though it does need some room to stretch. Mullein is a celebrated medicine, traditionally used for respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments, and its dried flower stalks can be painted with parafin to make the most decorative and long burning sputtering tiki torches you will ever behold.