Guide to growing garden plants - Kochia Belvedere

Plants of the Kochia genus are hardy or half hardy annuals that reach from 60 to 90 cm in height.

They have a shrubby nature and are therefore often used as a hedge plant.

The leaves of Kochia are green and lance shaped; they turn red in the autumn making them an attractive hedging plant.

Some of the common names for Kochia include Belvedere, Firebush, Burning bush, and Summer Cypress.

How to grow Belvedere

When growing Belvedere and other Kochia plants in the garden it is best to sow the seeds on the surface a couple of weeks before the last frost of spring is expected. They like to grow in sunny areas which have a soil pH of 6 to 7. If you plan to make a hedge using Belvedere then line the seedling up about 20cm apart once growing.

If you first plan to grow belvedere indoors then they should be started about two months before they are due to be transplanted outside towards the end of spring. You will need to prepare the seeds by imbibing in water for a day; then keep the sown seeds in light and at 21 to 24 degrees Centigrade.

Caring for Belevedere and other Kochia plants

Once established Belvedere and other Kochia members are easy to look after: They require frequent water and a few regular feeds of nitrogen containing fertilizer in the summer.