Overview

Dictamnus albus var. purpureus of gardens is a perennial herbaceous in the genus Dictamnus, part of the Rutaceae family. It typically grows around 1.0 m tall. Dictamnus albus var. purpureus of gardens grows best in full sun, and tolerates sandy and loamy soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. It is native to SW Europe to E Asia.

About

Dictamnus albus var. purpureus of gardens is a perennial herbaceous member of the rue family, noted for its strongly scented foliage and summer flowering. It reaches about 1.0 m and blooms in the UK from June to July. Plant in a sunny, well-drained position on sandy or loamy soil. The foliage is phototoxic; wear gloves and protective clothing when handling and keep pets away.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Dictamnus albus

About the genus

Dictamnus is a genus of flowering plant in the family Rutaceae, native to temperate Eurasia from Spain to China. The genus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.

Wikipedia contributors, "Dictamnus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Dictamnus

In the garden

Dictamnus albus var. purpureus of gardens is a perennial from the rue family, native across SW Europe to E Asia, grown for its aromatic foliage and summer blooms. In the UK it flowers in June to July and typically reaches around 1.0 m. Give it full sun and a free-draining soil: sandy or loamy types suit it best and the plant tolerates a range of moisture provided drainage is good. It is rated H7 for UK hardiness (fully hardy) and corresponds to USDA zones 4–9, so it will withstand cold winters in most British gardens. Plant where it will receive direct sun through the day to encourage flowering in its short season. Place dittany towards the back of a sunny herbaceous border or in a dedicated sunny patch where its upright presence and scented foliage can be appreciated. Exercise caution when handling: the foliage can cause skin reactions in sunlight, so always wear gloves and other protective equipment, and be aware it is toxic to pets; consult the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and contact numbers.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Dictamnus

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Sandy, Loamy

Soil moisture

Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

UK hardiness

H7

Plant details

Dictamnus albus var. purpureus of gardens size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Perennial herbaceous

Height

1.0 m

Native to

SW Europe to E Asia

Fragrance

Foliage

Toxicity

TOXIC to skin with sunlight. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets with sunlight - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers

Frequently asked questions