The volatile oils from Dictamnus have a lemon scent and are quite flammable. The fumes are said to be capable of being ignited on a calm summer evening giving rise to its popular names Burning Bush or Gas Plant.

Growing a Burning Bush

• Dictamnus is also called False Dittany but unlike Dittany it is inedible and has few herbal properties.

• Dictamnus albus is a long lived perennial that grows 2-3 feet high. It flowers in late spring on a pyramid of spires in pink, purple and white.

• Plants grow best in full sun but will tolerate some light shade. Grow in any well drained garden soil with added  lime .

• Well established plants resent transplanting but should live for a longtime given sheltered conditions.

• Plants can be grown from seed but take several years to flower. I remember being disappointed by Cuthberts Seeds from ‘Woolies’ when I was a kid but 50 years on perhaps I will try again.

• There is only a single species Dictamnus albus but variety purpueus (shown below) has an RHS award of garden merit.

Other plants are sometimes referred to as Burning bush including Kochia tricopphylla and Euonymus alatus (alta)