Dictamnus albus
Burning bush
Common names: Dittany, Gas plant
At a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Spacing
- 60 cm, rows 80 cm
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Sowing
- Sep–Oct
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to −25 °C
- Water need
- Low
- Origin
- Native to Germany
Photo: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Description
The burning bush, botanically Dictamnus albus, is a long‑lived aromatic herb of the Rutaceae family that can remain in the same spot for decades when given a suitable location. In early summer, usually from late May to early July, it produces pink to white flower spikes that release fine aromatic oils; on hot, calm days these vapors can even briefly ignite, giving rise to the name Burning Bush. The plant’s sap is phototoxic and can cause painful redness and blisters when it contacts skin in sunlight, so keep it away from children and pets and wear gloves when handling. In the wild the burning bush is protected and wild harvesting is prohibited; for gardens, use only plants or seeds from reputable garden suppliers. Roots and foliage have been used traditionally in folk medicine, but any medicinal use should be undertaken by qualified professionals.
Care instructions
Burning bush prefers a sunny, warm spot with well‑drained, slightly calcareous soil and tolerates drought once established. Sow seeds in the fall (September or October, weeks 37 to 40) directly in the ground; seeds need a cold period to germinate and may take one to two years to sprout, so patience is required. Avoid waterlogged or heavy, compacted soils without drainage, as rot is the plant’s biggest enemy. After establishment, minimal care is needed: in spring, simply cut back any dead stems from the previous year and let the plant grow undisturbed, as it does not transplant well. When pruning, wear gloves and long sleeves to protect against skin irritation from the sap.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
SowingSep–Oct
Germination
- Soil temperature
- from 5 °C, ideally 12 °C
- Days to sprout
- 60 to 180 days
- Light
- Needs darkness to sprout
- Sowing depth
- 0.5 cm
- How to start
- Sow straight into the bed
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, lime-loving, lean, dry
Burning bush loves stony, free-draining soil with a high lime content and few nutrients. The plant cannot tolerate waterlogging at all and soon rots at the root. A sunny, warm spot with lean, rather dry soil best imitates its natural habitat on limestone rocks and dry grassland.
Feeding
Light feeder
Burning bush needs practically no feeding; soil that is too rich in nutrients harms the plant more than it helps it. In spring, a thin layer of mature compost around the root zone is quite enough. This undemanding perennial needs no more care than that.
Overwintering
Burning bush is completely hardy and survives even severe frosts without protection. The perennial withdraws into its roots in autumn and reliably shoots again in spring. Cutting back the withered stems in late autumn or only in early spring is a matter of taste; both work well.
Propagation
Methods
- From seed
- Division
Sowing is the classic route, but it takes patience. Sow fresh seed straight after harvest in late summer, because burning bush germinates best after a cold spell outdoors and often only shows itself in the second spring. Dividing older clumps is possible but rarely works well, because the deep taproots react sensitively. If you want to divide burning bush, try it in early spring and then leave the plant plenty of peace in a permanent position.
For your garden
Grow Burning bush yourself
Gartenkern tells you when frost is coming, when to sow and when to harvest, for your location.
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