With the incomparable diptam, a floral treasure moves into the garden, offering a blazing display of flowers on hot summer days. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was already fascinated by the unique perennial, which is still considered a historical rarity to this day. If you want to create your green kingdom beyond the beaten path, explore professional cultivation here. Answers to frequently asked questions will show you the way.
What distinguishes the diptam as a garden perennial?
The diptam, also known as the burning bush, is a historic perennial that offers a magnificent display of flowers and an intoxicating scent. Cultivated in a sunny location with sandy-loamy, calcareous soil, it requires little care such as occasional watering and organic starter fertilization.
Care tips
In a sunny location with sandy-loamy, calcareous soil, a diptam will rarely appear on your gardening to-do list. We have listed all the important reasons to take care of the Burning Bush here for you:
- In case of prolonged drought, water early in the morning or late in the evening
- Organic starter fertilization in the bed covers the nutrient requirements
- Fertilize the perennial in the pot liquidly every 4 weeks from May to August
- The best date for pruning is late winter
The Ashroot is given winter protection in the planter by wrapping the pot with jute, foil or garden fleece. It makes sense to have a base made of wood or Styrofoam so that the cold does not settle in the root ball from below.
Which location is suitable?
The centuries-long experience in cultivating this perennial leaves no doubt that it only achieves its optimum in a sunny location. The location should be warm and protected from the wind so that a burning bush can prove on warm summer evenings how it got its name. In addition, a diptam prefers to extend its roots in loamy-sandy soil that is well-drained and calcareous.
What soil does the plant need?
The diptam likes to take on problematic areas in your garden and decorate them for many years. Wherever the earth is rich in lime and poor in oxygen, an ash auric feels at home. The soil should be loamy-sandy and moderately dry, as can be the case on the edge of the woods, the rock garden or the rocky steppe.
When is flowering time?
From June to July, the diptam presents its flower clusters on the upright, solid stem. The impressive effect is not limited to the exclusive look, as the perennial exudes an intoxicating scent of vanilla and lemon. The feathery, oval leaves underline the summery flowers in rich dark green.
Cut dittany correctly
Do not cut off the withered flower stalks, because the autumn fruit clusters are also a feast for the eyes. Only in late winter is a diptam cut off just above the ground to make room for fresh shoots. Please consider toxicity with any pruning. Wearing gloves and long-sleeved clothing will protect you from unpleasant skin irritations.
Pouring dittany
You will rarely arm yourself with a watering can to water a dittany. The perennial only requires a good drink of water when it is dry for a long time. Use normal tap water, because the lime it contains is welcome for an ashy tree.
Fertilize dittany correctly
In the bed, the perennial is satisfied with an organic starter fertilization in spring. The nutrient reserves are used up more quickly in the bucket, so a burning bush receives liquid fertilizer every 30 days from May to August. Please note that complete fertilizers with a high concentration of nitrogen, such as blue grain, are not suitable for a diptam. Compost, bark humus, horse manure and plant manure completely cover the needs.read more
Wintering
An ash auric has a robust frost hardiness, which makes any precautions for a he althy wintering unnecessary. However, if a diptam thrives in a pot, place the container on a block of wood before the first frost. A winter coat made of jute, fleece or foil keeps freezing frost away from the root ball.
Propagate dittany
Multiplication and rejuvenation go hand in hand on a diptam. You can dig up the perennial in spring or autumn. On this occasion, diseased and rotten root strands are cut out. After the spent soil has been shaken off, place the rhizome ball on a firm surface. Using a sharp knife, cut the perennial into two or more segments. You plant these in the new location so deep that the previous planting depth is maintained and water them. In order for a section to actually transform into an adult burning bush, there should be at least 2 eyes from which shoots take place.
Diptam in the pot
A dittany celebrates his elegant floral fireworks display around the pot on the sunny, warm terrace and the south-facing balcony. As a substrate, choose commercial pot plant soil that is thinned out with sand and lava granules. Drainage made of pottery shards or gravel prevents harmful waterlogging at the bottom of the pot. The relevant care measures at a glance:
- Watering moderately with normal tap water in the early morning or late evening
- Avoid waterlogging by emptying the coaster promptly
- Administer liquid fertilizer every 30 days from May to August
- Pruning close to the ground in early spring
Since the root ball is helpless against bitter frost behind the relatively thin pot walls, the container is covered with jute, bubble wrap or fleece. Additionally, place a block of wood or another cold-insulating material under the bucket.
Is diptam poisonous?
Diptame is classified as toxic due to its exorbitantly high content of alkaloids, essential oils and other ingredients. For reasons of caution, the flaming blossom display should therefore be avoided in the family garden. When carrying out planting and care work, we recommend wearing protective gloves and long-sleeved clothing, as phototoxic skin reactions can occur.
Trivia
There is a solid reason why the perennial is called burning bush. On hot summer days, a diptam emits such a high amount of essential oils that they can self-ignite due to a burning glass effect. The result is a deflagration without the perennial actually burning. A magical spectacle occurs at dusk at the end of a hot summer day, when blue flames appear to flicker over the flowers in the absence of wind.
Beautiful varieties
- Albiflorus: White-flowering, historic variety that has won the hearts of gardeners since 1893; Growth height 80-100 cm
- Burning Bush: Features pink and white flowers that burn like small flames on hot days; Growth height 80-100 cm
- Purpureus: Elegant look in June and July thanks to lush flower clusters in enchanting purple-pink; Growth height 80 cm
- Level: Thanks to the compact habitus, white flowering varieties are recommended for the pot; Growth height 60-80 cm
