Guide to growing garden plants - Dictamnus (Gas Plant)
Dictamnus are hardy perennials that are ideal to use in the middle of a border as they are about 90cm in height.
They usually come into bloom from the end of spring to the summer, and carry star shaped pink or white flowers.
Dictamnus has fragrant green leaves. Some of the common names for members of the Dictamnus genus include Gas Plant, False dittany, and Burning bush.
How to grow Gas Plant (Dictamnus)
It is best to sow Dictamnus seeds in the autumn in either a sunny or lightly shaded part of the garden that is moist and slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5 to 7). The seeds should be sown about 40 to 60cm apart, and lightly covered with topsoil. If first growing gas plants (Dictamnus) indoors then the seeds should be imbibed by placing the seeds (within soil) in a black plastic bag, left for a fortnight at 16C, then placed in the fridge for four to six weeks. The germination should then proceed at a temperature of 16 to 17C. It may be necessary to have cycles of refrigeration and warmth for germination to occur. Seedlings of Dictamnus should then be put out in deep holes at the end of autumn.
Caring for Dictamnus in the garden
It will typically take about four years until the gas plant will flower. Dictamnus should be cut back at the stems every autumn.