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Dictamnus albus

dittany

Sold by 24 nurseries

  • Other common names dittany
    burning bush

    candle plant
    fire plant
    fraxinella
    gas plant
    spitfire plant

    see more

  • Synonyms Dictamnus fraxinella 'Alba'
    Dictamnus macedonicus 'Albus'

    Dictamnus albus 'Albiflorus'
    Dictamnus albus var. albiflorus

    see more

  • Family Rutaceae

  • Genus Dictamnus are woody-based, aromatic perennials with erect stems bearing pinnate leaves and terminal racemes of 5-petalled flowers

  • Details D. albus is an erect perennial to 1.2m tall, with aromatic, dark green leaves divided into lance-shaped leaflets, and long racemes of white or purple flowers 2.5cm across in early summer

  • Plant range SW Europe to E Asia

Characteristics

  • Foliage Deciduous

  • Habit Bushy

  • Fragrance Foliage

  • Toxicity Skin contact may cause photodermatitis

  • Hardiness

    Hardiness ratings

    All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

    • H1a - Under glass all year (>15C)
    • H1b - Can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
    • H1c - Can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
    • H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
    • H3 - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
    • H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
    • H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
    • H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
    • H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

    H6

Colour

Sunlight

  • Full Sun

  • Partial Shade

  • Aspect South-facing or North-facing or West-facing or East-facing

  • Exposure Exposed or Sheltered

Soil

  • Chalk

    Chalk

  • Clay

    Clay

  • Loam

    Loam

  • Sand

    Sand

  • MoistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained

  • SoilChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

  • pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 0.5-1 metres

  • Ultimate spread 0.1-0.5 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 2-5 years

How to grow

Cultivation Grow in any well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame as soon as ripe or in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types Banks and Slopes Flower borders and beds Cottage & Informal Garden City & Courtyard Gardens Coastal

How to care

Pruning Cut back to the base in autumn

Pests Generally pest free

Diseases Generally disease free

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