Native from Europe to North Africa to Western and Central Asia, mullien has naturalized across North American and can be seen along roadsides and in outcrops. They are grown for their attractive flower spikes.
‘Southern Charm’ is an erect, clump-forming, short-lived perennial which can remain in the garden for many years by self-seeding. Forms a large basal rosette to 2′ wide of woolly, ovate, silvery-green leaves from which rise multiple, flowering stems 2-3′ tall and bearing long terminal spikes flowers in soft pastel shades of lavender, buffy cream and rose with purple center stamens. Has a long bloom time in late spring to summer and sometimes reblooms in fall.