Also known as dittany or fraxinella, Dictmanus albus var. purpureus is an ancient plant originally cultivated by the Romans. It takes a season or two to settle down after planting. On a still summer's day, the aromatic oils given off by the flowers can be ignited and burn with a bright blue flame. Although plants grow well in light shade, full sun and still air help produce the most impressive display and strongest fragrance.
Plants eventually form a bushy, upright clump of glossy leaves with a citrus fragrance. Spikes of mauve-pink flowers appear in early summer, which make excellent cut flowers.
This is the true burning bush, not to be confused with the annual bedding plant with the same common name, Bassia scoparia (formerly Kochia scoparia). The Royal Horticultural Society has given Dictmanus albus var. purpureus the prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
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Dictmanus and wildlife
Dictmanus has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
