[mdjlucan]

can any one put a i d on this

[Spana]

Verbascum bombyciferum may be

[Aunt Sally]

ditto

PS I can't grow them - they get mildew

[mdjlucan]

i was out in Essex it was growing wild

[Aunt Sally]

It's a lovely plant.

Great Mullein is another name.

[sunshineband]

Often infested with gorgeous mullein moth caterpillars too -- never strip the plant completely so I always leave them alone 

[Goosegirl]

I think it's Stachys byzantina - a.k.a. Lambs' Ears which have a flower spike in late spring, and the leaves are like velvet.

[sunshineband]

The veins seem a bit prominent for it to be lambs ears I think....... 

[Goosegirl]

Take your point, but still am going for Lambs' Ears, though willing to be proved wrong - let's see what the flower spike is.

[Spana]

Here you go 

On the left a googled mullein,on the right a googled lambs ear, bottom middle mdjlucan's photo.  I wouldn't like to say now

[lmpd]

I was going to say - lambs lugs!!!

[mumofstig]

verbascun Arctic Snow is more felted looking, than the Google image shows

[Spana]

Looking at the way the new growth is coming from the center of the plant I'm leaning towards Mullein
I think